INCHEON — Five Chinese fishing boats have been seized for illegal operations in South Korean waters, the Coast Guard announced on Tuesday. The operation, which took place between May 25 and 31, was a coordinated effort involving the Coast Guard, the Navy, and the fisheries ministry. The crackdown targeted areas near the western inter-Korean sea border and the exclusive economic zone around Jeju Island.
According to Yonhap News Agency, one Chinese captain has been arrested, and five crew members were expelled. Furthermore, 58 other boats were evicted from South Korean-controlled waters.
During this operation, authorities collected 450 million won ($332,690) in collateral from the seized vessels. Violations included crossing the Northern Limit Line, underreporting fish catches, and using illegal fishing nets. Officials highlighted a decrease in the daily average of illegal Chinese fishing boats from 300 to 140 during the March operations. The Coast Guard has committed to intensifying its crackdown on illegal fishing by deploying additional ships to protect marine resources.