7 Fishing Vessels from Chungnam and Jeonnam Caught Illegal Fishing in Incheon Coastal Waters

Illegal Fishing Surges Due to Formation of Jeotsae-u Shrimp Farms

Incheon City Fisheries Patrol Vessel

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has caught seven coastal fishing vessels from other cities and provinces illegally fishing in the waters off Incheon.

According to the city on the 10th, three vessels registered in Chungnam and four vessels registered in Jeonnam, totaling seven vessels, were caught by Incheon’s fisheries patrol vessels while shrimp fishing near Uldo, Ongjin-gun, Incheon, from the 25th to the 27th of last month.

Under fisheries-related laws, only coastal fishing vessels permitted and registered in Incheon City and Gyeonggi Province are allowed to fish in the waters off Incheon.

However, due to the relaxation of face-to-face inspections amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent formation of juvenile shrimp farms near Deokjeokdo and Gureopdo, fishing vessels from other regions have been flocking to the waters off Incheon and frequently engaging in illegal fishing.

Some vessels have been illegally fishing at night during times when inspections are difficult, or waiting outside the city and provincial boundary lines to avoid detection, with their methods becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Using a coastal fishing vessel permitted in one city or province to illegally fish in another can result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW, as well as administrative penalties such as a 30-day suspension of fishing rights.

The city has requested administrative action from the responsible city and county authorities for the seven vessels caught in this crackdown and is proceeding with judicial procedures in cooperation with special judicial police.

An Incheon City official stated, "Since illegal fishing by coastal vessels from other regions is causing damage to Incheon fishermen, we will continue to deploy fisheries patrol vessels at city and provincial boundary waters to further strengthen crackdowns on illegal fishing."

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