Mokpo Coast Guard Seizes Unauthorized Chinese Fishing Vessel

70t-Class Unauthorized Chinese Fishing Vessel... Approximately 135kg of Catch Including Anglerfish Seized for Illegal Fishing Charges

Mokpo Coast Guard is approaching an illegal foreign fishing vessel for inspection. Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] A Chinese fishing vessel engaged in unauthorized illegal fishing in South Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was seized by the Coast Guard.

On the 14th, Mokpo Maritime Police Station announced that at 7:09 a.m. on the 13th, it seized a 70-ton Chinese fishing vessel A (single trawl net, 6 crew members) illegally fishing near the sea 78 km west of Gageodo, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (20 km inside the fishing agreement line).

Vessel A had departed from Shidao Port, China on the 1st for fishing and entered South Korea's EEZ on the 12th, where it fished without permission, catching approximately 135 kg of fish including anglerfish and other bycatch.

The Coast Guard plans to transport the captain and crew of vessel A to Mokpo Coast Guard's exclusive pier for COVID-19 testing and quarantine measures, followed by further investigation into the violation charges.

A Mokpo Coast Guard official stated, "We will respond strongly to foreign fishing vessels conducting illegal fishing in our waters to protect fishery resources in the West Sea and safeguard maritime sovereignty."

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