[2020 National Audit] Eogigu: "1,704 Chinese Fishing Vessels Illegally Operating in EEZ Over Past 5 Years... Need to Strengthen Penalty Regulations"

Assemblyman Eo Gi-gu. (Photo by archive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] There are ongoing concerns about illegal fishing by Chinese vessels within South Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with calls to strengthen penalties for such violations.

On the 8th, Oh Ki-gu, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee from the Democratic Party, pointed out during the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' audit at the National Assembly that "from 2015 to last year, a total of 1,704 Chinese fishing vessels were caught violating the EEZ Fisheries Act."

The EEZ is a maritime zone extending 200 nautical miles from a country's coastline, within which the country has exclusive rights over resources. Matters related to exercising sovereign rights over foreign fishing activities within South Korea's EEZ are stipulated in the "Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights Regarding Foreign Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone."

Looking at the types of illegal activities, 1,290 vessels (75.7%) violated conditions despite having permits, 272 vessels (16.0%) engaged in unlicensed fishing, 83 vessels (4.9%) intruded into designated prohibited zones, and 3.5% violated territorial waters.

Regarding the bail payments made for the return of seized vessels and the release of violators, a total of 99.393 billion KRW was paid over five years, while unpaid amounts reached 28.75 billion KRW.

Assemblyman Oh stated, "Illegal fishing by Chinese vessels adversely affects the management of our fishery resources," adding, "To eradicate illegal fishing within the EEZ, penalties should be strengthened, and the collected bail funds should be used as resources for affected fishermen or the fisheries sector."

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