Yeosu City Takes Action to Protect Jurisdictional Waters... Forced Removal of Illegal Aquaculture Facilities Underway.

Advance Notice of Forced Removal of Illegal Seaweed Farming Facilities along Maritime Boundaries with Nearby Local Governments

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Cheol-hoon] Jeonnam Yeosu City (Mayor Jeong Gi-myeong) announced that it will carry out administrative enforcement (forced removal) against illegally installed seaweed farming facilities in the maritime boundary area of Yeosu, Goheung, and Wando counties to protect fishery resources and establish fishery order.

Last year, as seaweed became the top export item and the price of raw seaweed at production sites rose, illegal farming facilities such as unlicensed and out-of-fishing-ground installations increased in some waters including Chodo in Yeosu and Sisan-do in Goheung, prompting this measure.

According to the city, many problematic seaweed farming buoy lines are extensively installed up to about 500 hectares of maritime area under Yeosu’s jurisdiction from seaweed farms in Goheung and Wando counties.

They appear to have been installed in early November, and some are disrupting fishery order and hindering safe navigation of vessels.

Accordingly, the city plans to station fishery guidance vessels on site to prevent further installations and identify illegal facility operators, and after prior guidance in cooperation with nearby local governments, will conduct forced removal through administrative enforcement starting December 9.

A city official said, “Since we have provided a prior guidance period, we urge illegal facility operators to voluntarily remove their installations,” adding, “From December 9, we will strongly respond by not only forcibly removing the facilities but also identifying illegal operators and punishing them according to relevant laws.”

Meanwhile, those who illegally install farming facilities will be liable for all costs related to administrative enforcement and face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Cheol-hoon hss79@asiae.co.kr

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