East Sea Fisheries Management Office Conducts Joint Inspection in Busan to Root Out Illegal Modified Fishing Gear

[Financial News] The East Sea Fisheries Management Office said on the 27th that it carried out a joint inspection with Busan Metropolitan City Government on the 26th in Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan, to eliminate chronic illegal fishing and establish order in the fishing industry.
The joint inspection was part of a special crackdown on the manufacture, sale and use of unlicensed modified fishing gear, including centipede-style traps, which has been under way from July 10 through the 31st. By the 26th, the office had uncovered 13 sets of ownerless modified trawl net gear with spray devices attached, as well as 54 sets of illegal centipede-style traps, stored around Dongri Port in Gangseo-gu, Busan.
Modified trawl net gear equipped with spray devices works by blasting strong currents onto the seabed to catch marine resources such as shellfish. However, because it sharply increases fishing intensity and raises concerns over ecosystem damage, including overfishing, its use is strictly prohibited under relevant laws.
While strengthening on-site inspections, the East Sea Fisheries Management Office also plans to continue discussions on easing fishing regulations and updating related laws and rules to avoid creating more offenders through excessive regulation.
Office chief Lee Sang-yoon said, "We will continue our coordinated enforcement efforts with local governments to root out the chronic and hidden illegal fishing practices seen in each region," adding, "In addition to crackdowns, we will also keep discussing ways to improve welfare and support for fishermen."
[email protected] Byun Ok-hwan Reporter