[2020 National Audit] Wiseson Gon: "Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said it would halve fishing vessel accidents, but they actually surged by 352%"

Assemblyman Wi Seongon. (File photo) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced a goal to reduce fishing vessel accidents by 50% from 2013 to 2020, but instead, accidents increased by more than 350%, raising concerns over the failure to strengthen fisheries management capabilities.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and analyzed by Wi Seong-gon, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the ministry aimed to reduce fishing vessel accidents from 553 cases in 2013 to 276 cases by 2020 through the 'Comprehensive Plan to Strengthen Fisheries Management Capabilities.' However, the number of accidents surged to 1,951 cases in 2019, an increase of 352.8%.

Additionally, regarding the task of distributing 'electric fishing vessels,' the target was set at 1,800 vessels, but only 3 vessels, or 0.16%, were constructed. The 'Reinforcement of National Guidance Vessels' task aimed for 50 vessels but resulted in only 40 being built. Furthermore, although the plan was to supply 4 helicopters and 4 amphibious aircraft by 2020, not a single unit has been secured to date.

Representative Wi stated, "The penalty fee, which was supposed to be raised to 280,000 KRW per day, remains only 250,000 KRW, and the plan to build two large guidance vessels was replaced by securing six guidance vessels over 2,000 tons, indicating an overall failure to achieve proper goals. We need to re-examine the progress made so far and establish effective measures to strengthen fisheries management capabilities," he emphasized.

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