Yeosu Coast Guard Arrests Aquaculture Operator Storing Illegal Hazardous Chemicals

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Yeosu Maritime Police Station announced on the 15th that it has caught an aquaculture operator illegally storing about 1,500 containers of muriatic acid (20ℓ per container) intended for use at sea.

According to Yeosu Maritime Police, on the 14th at around 1:50 PM, the criminal patrol boat P-115 discovered 1,540 containers of muriatic acid stored under a black cover in a clearing in the mountains near Dohwa-myeon, Goheung-gun, while conducting land criminal activities. Through inquiries with nearby individuals, the owner, Mr. A (male, 56 years old), was arrested for violating the Fisheries Resources Management Act.

Yeosu Maritime Police confirmed that Mr. A had been storing 1,540 containers of muriatic acid at the same location since around 5 PM on the 10th, intending to use it for removing foreign substances such as debris from seaweed farms.

Muriatic acid is a mixture containing more than 10% hydrochloric acid concentration under the Chemical Substances Control Act. It is known to be more effective than legal activators in removing debris and preventing pests and diseases, leading to its illegal use.

A Yeosu Maritime Police official stated, “Despite the prohibition of storing harmful chemical substances under the Fisheries Resources Management Act, some aquaculture operators occasionally use them. We plan to continue enforcement activities to protect the marine environment.”

Meanwhile, under the current Fisheries Resources Management Act, those who store harmful chemical substances such as muriatic acid face imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

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