Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Fishing
"Please Cooperate to Protect Fishery Resources"
On April 22, Yangyang County in Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province announced that it will conduct intensive guidance and crackdowns on violations of the ayu fishing ban until May 20, in order to protect inland water fisheries resources and safeguard the ayu population.
According to the Inland Water Fisheries Act, which serves as the legal basis for these crackdowns, the ayu fishing ban period is set from April 20 to May 20, when ayu migrate upstream (the act of fish such as ayu or trout swimming from the sea up into rivers), and from September 1 to October 31, which is the ayu spawning season. Violations of this regulation are punishable by imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.
Accordingly, Yangyang County has decided to carry out focused guidance and crackdowns on the ayu fishing ban in major inland water areas such as Yangyang Namdaecheon. The county will especially target chronic and sophisticated illegal fishing activities that occur during vulnerable times such as holidays. In addition to cracking down on illegal fishing, the county also plans to enforce regulations against the use of illegal fishing gear, electric currents, and toxic substances.
An official from Yangyang County stated, "Ayu is a valuable fishery resource in Yangyang Namdaecheon, and fishing is strictly prohibited during the migration period. We ask for your cooperation in protecting our fishery resources."
Meanwhile, Yangyang County annually purchases and releases hundreds of thousands of juvenile native inland fish species to help foster inland water fisheries resources. This year, the county plans to release approximately 343,000 inland water fishery species, including corbicula and crucian carp.
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