▲ The illegal blue crab transport vehicle submerged in the sea
A transporter attempting to catch and distribute blue crabs during the closed season was caught by the coast guard at a pier in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province.
According to the Gunsan Coast Guard yesterday (July 27), an unregistered fishing boat docked at Jangjado Pier in Gunsan at 4:05 AM that day.
Shortly after, a refrigerated truck, which was a modified 1-ton truck, stopped at the pier and loaded blue crabs transferred from the fishing boat into its cargo bed.
The coast guard, who had been staking out the pier, confirmed the illegal fishing and distribution, approached the fishing boat and the refrigerated truck, and warned them to halt the illegal activity.
The closed season for blue crabs runs from June 21 to August 20, and catching, possessing, or distributing blue crabs during this period is subject to punishment.
The refrigerated truck loaded with blue crabs suspected of being illegally caught was positioned on a slope to get closer to the fishing boat when it collided with a coast guard vehicle on crackdown duty and plunged into the sea.
The coast guard first rescued the driver of the refrigerated truck who had fallen into the sea and later hoisted the vehicle out using a crane.
An official from the coast guard stated, "We plan to investigate the owner of the fishing boat and the driver of the refrigerated truck," adding, "If the illegal fishing and distribution are proven true, we will strictly punish them in accordance with relevant laws."
(Photo provided by Gunsan Coast Guard, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.