The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said revisions to the Act on the Exercise of Sovereign Rights over Foreign Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone, along with amendments to the Port Act and other related bills, cleared the National Assembly’s plenary session on the 23rd.
The EEZ fishing sovereignty law revision is aimed at tougher enforcement against illegal fishing by foreign vessels by sharply raising maximum fines. For unlicensed vessels, the cap rises fivefold to 1.5 billion won from 300 million won, a move intended to strip away the financial incentive for illegal operations and strengthen deterrence.
The ministry said it is also tightening on-site enforcement. Fisheries management teams and the Korea Coast Guard have formed joint mobile task units to strengthen responses, including seizures. For serious violations such as operating without a license or intruding into territorial waters, authorities are handing vessels over at sea to the Chinese coast guard so they can face penalties in both countries, the ministry said.
Oversight of long-term non-operating ships abandoned at port facilities will also be strengthened. Under the revised Port Act, port authorities can order restoration to the original condition, and if an owner fails to comply, the authorities may carry out an administrative enforcement action directly.
Revisions to the Act on the Entry and Departure of Ships will apply the same tugboat business registration and related standards to tugboats operating at port facilities outside designated port zones as those working inside port zones. The ministry said the change is expected to close gaps in tugboat oversight and supervision.
Also passed were amendments to the Marine Waste and Marine Contaminated Sediment Management Act, clarifying that measures to block marine inflows of waste include waste collection activities, and revisions to the Port Transportation Business Act, specifying that mayors and provincial governors who operate locally managed ports may sign pier operation contracts.
Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo said the government will continue enforcement and institutional improvements to eradicate illegal fishing, adding that it will move to update subordinate regulations and ensure smooth implementation of the bills passed in the plenary session.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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