West Sea Coast Guard Cracks Down on Vessels Suspected of Illegal Joint Fishing Operations

Joint Crackdown Conducted Southwest of Eocheongdo, Gunsan
Aircraft and Patrol Vessels Mobilized

An aircraft belonging to the West Sea Coast Guard uses an infrared thermal imaging camera (FLIR) to conduct aerial surveillance of suspicious illegal cooperative fishing vessels, including a trawler (A) and a jigging vessel (B). Provided by the West Sea Coast Guard

The West Sea Regional Coast Guard announced that it conducted a joint crackdown on two vessels suspected of illegal fishing operations by mobilizing aircraft and patrol ships.

According to the West Sea Coast Guard on July 30, at around 4 a.m. on July 29, two fishing vessels suspected of illegal joint fishing operations were detected 60 nautical miles southwest of Eocheongdo, Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do.

The Muan Air Unit's CN-235 aircraft of the West Sea Coast Guard captured suspected illegal joint fishing activity using a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera, involving a large trawler, Vessel A (138 tons), and a jigging fishing vessel, Vessel B (69 tons).

The Gunsan Coast Guard’s 3010 patrol vessel (3,000 tons), after receiving the collected evidence, was immediately dispatched to the site and apprehended the fishing vessels.

The fishing vessels caught in this operation may be subject to imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won under Article 22 (Restrictions on the Use of Fishing Vessels) of the Fisheries Resources Management Act.

An official from the West Sea Regional Coast Guard stated, "The Coast Guard is cracking down on and detecting various illegal activities through intensive surveillance not only at sea but also through aerial patrols," and added, "Going forward, the Coast Guard will continue joint crackdowns on land, sea, and air to eradicate illegal activities and do its utmost to protect marine resources."