Wando Coast Guard Cracks Down on Illegal Glass Eel Fishing

Published 30 Mar.2023 15:51(KST)

Crackdown on Illegal Fishing Activities for Marine Ecosystem Conservation

The Wando Maritime Police Station in Jeollanam-do (Chief Park Ki-jung) has launched intensified crackdowns to eradicate the illegal capture of glass eels from the 13th of this month until the 30th of next month.

According to Wando Maritime Police on the 30th, glass eels are traded at 4,000 to 5,000 KRW per eel due to limited supply. The industry openly acknowledges illegal capture, and unauthorized nets are being installed along the coastal areas of Haenam, Gangjin, and Jangheung Gwansan within the jurisdiction. Additionally, large quantities of glass eels are being illegally caught using water pumps in public waters.

Wando Coast Guard will strengthen crackdowns to eradicate illegal capture of glass eels. <br>[Photo by Wando Coast Guard Station]

Wando Coast Guard will strengthen crackdowns to eradicate illegal capture of glass eels.
[Photo by Wando Coast Guard Station]

Furthermore, over the past two years, there have been a total of 11 cases of illegal glass eel capture crackdowns (3 cases in 2021, 8 cases in 2022), and despite continuous guidance, 2 cases have been detected this year.

In response, Wando Maritime Police has established a crackdown plan to eradicate illegal glass eel capture, installing banners at the entrances of coastal areas where illegal capture occurs, and deploying patrol vessels and police station personnel to conduct comprehensive crackdowns both at sea and on land.

The main targets of the crackdown include △ barehand fishing without reporting to local governments △ freshwater discharge activities using water pumps on public waters △ illegal capture using rubber boats or fishing vessels.

A Wando Maritime Police official stated, “We will work to protect fishery resources and eradicate illegal capture through close cooperation with related local governments and the Korea Rural Community Corporation, striving to establish maritime order.”