Unauthorized Illegal Fishing Chinese Vessel 'Seized' in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Coast Guard Boat Approaches, Fishing Gear Cut Off, Refuses to Comply with Inspection Order, Flees; Captured After Pursuit

Mokpo Coast Guard's Maritime Special Operations Unit is boarding an illegal foreign fishing vessel. Photo by Mokpo Coast Guard

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

Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Chief Lee Jongwook) announced on the 6th that at 11:03 a.m. on the 4th, it seized Chinese fishing vessel A (100t, single net, 5 crew members), which was illegally fishing without permission near the sea 98 km west of Gageodo, Sinan-gun.

The Coast Guard discovered vessel A's illegal fishing activity while performing patrol duties near our EEZ that morning and deployed a maritime special task force for inspection and search.

In response, vessel A cut its fishing gear and repeatedly ignored orders to stop, attempting to flee as the maritime special task force approached.

After a persistent chase, Mokpo Coast Guard patrol ship 3009 (Captain Jeon Byeongwan) boarded vessel A and confirmed the unauthorized fishing charges during the inspection, then escorted it to Mokpo's dedicated pier on the morning of the 5th.

The Coast Guard completed COVID-19 testing and quarantine measures and plans to conduct further investigations regarding the violation charges.

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