Gwangju City is launching a crackdown on illegal fishing in collaboration with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, local governments, and the coast guard throughout October, coinciding with the fall fishing season.
This operation aims to protect fishery resources and establish order in the fishing industry as fishing activities increase and seaweed farming becomes more prevalent.
The city plans to deploy 17 patrol boats operated by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and local governments to areas with a high risk of illegal fishing, enhancing maritime monitoring and enforcement.
Key targets of the crackdown include illegal fishing by unlicensed vessels, unauthorized aquaculture facilities, violations of no-fishing zones, illegal capture of juvenile fish, and the use of modified fishing gear.
Particularly, as the installation of seaweed farming facilities intensifies, inspections of unlicensed aquaculture sites will be strengthened.
A cooperative system with the coast guard will also be activated. Patrol boats will be stationed in areas prone to illegal fishing, and local government patrol boats will work together with the coast guard to address the installation of illegal aquaculture facilities.
The coastal vessel traffic service (VTS) will be utilized as well. If a vessel suspected of illegal fishing is identified through VTS, the information will be immediately relayed to the patrol boats for on-site verification and response.
Jeon Chang-woo, head of the Eco-Friendly Fisheries Division in Gwangju City, stated, “Unlicensed seaweed farming harms legitimate fishers and threatens maritime order and safety. We will work with local governments and the coast guard to eradicate illegal aquaculture facilities and establish order in the fishing industry to protect the foundation of sustainable fisheries.”
Meanwhile, Gwangju City plans to strengthen maritime cooperation among related agencies during this joint crackdown period and continue monitoring and enforcement in areas at risk of illegal fishing. With the fall fishing season and aquaculture facility installations peaking, the focus will be on on-site inspections to protect fishery resources and establish a healthy fishing order.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.