Failure to Report Change in Fish Hold Capacity
Caught 780 kg of Miscellaneous Fish
A Chinese fishing vessel was caught by the Mokpo Coast Guard for violating restrictions while operating in the Republic of Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Mokpo Coast Guard Station (Chief Chae Sujun) announced on May 19 that at around 3 p.m. on May 17, it apprehended a 148-ton class Chinese fishing vessel, referred to as Vessel A, approximately 46 kilometers west of Hongdo, Sinan County, South Jeolla Province. The vessel was operating in the Republic of Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone without reporting changes to its fish hold capacity.
Vessel A was found to have changed its actual fish hold capacity from 180.09㎥ to 156.82㎥. However, it failed to report this change on its fishing permit and continued to operate from May 2 to May 17, catching 780 kilograms of miscellaneous fish. As a result, it was apprehended for violating the restrictions under the Economic Zone Fisheries Sovereignty Act.
Chinese fishing vessels that have been granted permits to operate in the Republic of Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone are required to report any changes in the fish hold capacity listed on their fishing permit, as well as any actual changes, in accordance with the fishing conditions and entry procedures agreed upon by Korea and China. Only after reporting such changes may they resume operations.
On the same day, at around 11 p.m., the Mokpo Coast Guard collected a security deposit of 40 million won from Vessel A and released it at the scene. Meanwhile, the Mokpo Coast Guard has apprehended a total of 11 Chinese fishing vessels this year, imposing a cumulative security deposit of 392 million won.
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