Incheon, South Korea – As the spring fishing season hits its stride, a surge in illegal fishing by Chinese vessels in South Korean waters is raising concerns, according to the Korea Coast Guard.
Reports indicate that over 100 Chinese fishing boats have recently been spotted operating near the western islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong, close to the Northern Limit Line (NLL). These vessels are allegedly crossing the NLL at night to fish in South Korean waters before returning north.
With a six-month fishing ban set to begin on April 16th, some fishing boats are reportedly engaging in frantic fishing activities, resorting to illegal methods such as constructing secret fish holds and underreporting their catches.
The Korea Coast Guard has announced a special crackdown operation from March 31st to April 4th to combat illegal fishing activities. The operation will also focus on inspecting licensed fishing vessels to ensure compliance with relevant fishing regulations.
The increased presence of Chinese fishing vessels and their alleged illegal activities are straining relations between South Korea and China. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in managing shared maritime resources and enforcing fishing regulations in the region.
References:
Yonhap News Agency. (2024, March 31). 迎捕捞旺季在韩海域非法捕捞中国渔船剧增 [Chinese Fishing Vessels Illegally Swarm South Korean Waters as Fishing Season Peaks]. Retrieved from [Insert URL if available]
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