General Public Faces 800,000 Won Fine for Violating Prohibited Fishing Zones and Seasons

Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Fisheries Resources Management Act Passed at the Cabinet Meeting on the 15th

Squid Set Net Fishing Ban Period Newly Established from April 1 to 30; Minimum Catch Size Strengthened to 15 cm

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Starting from the 25th, non-fishermen who violate the fishing ban period or minimum catch size will be fined 800,000 KRW.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Fisheries Resources Management Act containing these details passed the Cabinet meeting on the 15th.

The strengthening of the fishing ban period and minimum catch size is a measure to protect spawning adult fish and juvenile fish due to the continuous decline in coastal fishery production caused by resource overexploitation. The fishing ban period refers to the time during which the capture or harvesting of certain species is prohibited, and the minimum catch size refers to the body length (or weight) of certain species below which capture or harvesting is prohibited.

Previously, there was no legal basis to punish non-fishermen who violated the fishing ban period or minimum catch size. However, following the amendment of the Fisheries Resources Management Act in March, a basis was established to impose fines of up to 1 million KRW on non-fishermen who violate the fishing ban period or minimum catch size. In this amendment to the Enforcement Decree, the criteria for imposing fines have been set, so from now on, non-fishermen who violate the fishing ban period or minimum catch size will be fined 800,000 KRW.

The fishing ban periods and minimum catch sizes for a total of 13 species, including squid, flatfish, herring, and Spanish mackerel, will be newly established or strengthened. The squid set net fishing ban period is newly established from April 1 to 30, and the minimum catch size is strengthened from 12 cm to 15 cm. Additionally, the minimum catch size for four species of flatfish is newly set at 20 cm, but for three years, 17 cm will be applied.

Along with this, the areas around Yeosu Yeondo and Jindo Gwanmaedo, which are major growth grounds for hairtail, will be designated as restricted zones for coastal set net fishing for a certain period. This measure was directly proposed by coastal set net fishing associations to protect juvenile fish, and some coastal set net fishermen have been implementing fishery cooperative agreements including these fishing restrictions since August.

The measure to impose fines on non-fishermen who violate the fishing ban period or minimum catch size will be enforced from the 25th, the strengthening of the fishing ban period and minimum catch size will take effect from January 1 next year, and the designation of restricted zones for coastal set net fishing will be enforced immediately upon promulgation.

Choi Yong-seok, Director of Fisheries Resources Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "Through the strengthened fishing ban period and minimum catch size system by this amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Fisheries Resources Management Act, we will more effectively protect fishery resources and lay the foundation for sustainable fisheries. Protecting fishery resources requires the united efforts of not only the government and fishermen but also all citizens, so we hope the public will actively participate and help uphold these measures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.