Gyeonggi Province Conducts Joint Crackdown on Illegal Fishing in Gyeonggi Bay and Sihwa Lake with Coast Guard and Municipal Governments

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Ahead of the peak fishing season, Gyeonggi Province will jointly conduct crackdowns with the Coast Guard and municipal governments on illegal fishing activities in the coastal areas of Hwaseong, Ansan, Siheung, and Pyeongtaek, as well as in fishing-restricted zones of Sihwa Lake from October 19 through November 13.

The crackdown will target violations of fishing catch limits and safety operational requirements for fishing vessels such as failure to wear life jackets, overcrowding beyond capacity, and illegal fishing in fishing-restricted zones.

The catch prohibition standards for major fish species are 35 cm or less for flounder, 23 cm or less for rockfish, and 30 cm or less for Korean sea bass.

Key inspection areas include major fishing zones during peak season such as areas near Gukhwa Island and Ippa Island in Hwaseong, near Bangnamerri in Ansan, near Palmi Island in Siheung, and areas around Sihwa Lake designated as fishing-restricted zones in accordance with the Fishing Management and Promotion Act.

Violators will be subject to administrative penalties and fines in accordance with the ‘Fishing Management and Promotion Act’ and the ‘Water Leisure Safety Act.’

The province conducted a first joint crackdown on illegal fishing activities from June 19 to July 24, during which it detected a total of 5 illegal fishing violations, including 3 cases of exceeding catch limits and 2 cases of fishing-restricted zone violations, and implemented fine penalties.

Kim Sung-gon, head of the Marine and Fisheries Division of Gyeonggi Province, said “With the recent rapid increase in the fishing population and rising demand for outdoor activities, it is important to prevent safety accidents in advance,” and added “We plan to implement effective crackdowns jointly with municipal governments and the Coast Guard with support from the Coast Guard's coastal rescue vessels.”