West Sea Coast Guard Detects Illegal Trawlers Using Aircraft

Joint Crackdown by Coast Guard Patrol Aircraft and Patrol Vessel

A trawl fishing vessel, which was banned from operating due to issues such as depletion of fishery resources, was caught in a joint crackdown by the Korea Coast Guard's maritime patrol aircraft and patrol vessels.

The West Sea Regional Coast Guard Headquarters (Commissioner Lee Myungjun) announced that the CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft from the aviation unit detected a 100-ton class vessel engaging in illegal fishing at around 1 a.m. on the 14th in the waters east of Ganyeoam, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, and caught the act using surveillance equipment onboard the aircraft.

A coast guard patrol vessel is approaching a fishing boat engaged in fishing activities to verify whether illegal fishing is taking place. Provided by the West Sea Regional Coast Guard.

The aviation unit secured video footage of the illegal fishing using radar and infrared thermal cameras, and then contacted the Coast Guard patrol vessel conducting maritime security activities to carry out an on-site crackdown.

It was revealed that the vessel had turned off its location transmitter while operating, and further allegations will be investigated through a formal inquiry.

An official from the West Sea Regional Coast Guard Headquarters stated, "The Coast Guard is conducting intensive surveillance activities through regular patrols not only at sea but also by air, making illegal fishing activities inevitably detected," and added, "Going forward, the Coast Guard will continue joint maritime and aerial crackdowns to take the lead in protecting marine resources."

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