South Korea and China Resume Joint Patrolling Against Illegal Fishing in Yellow Sea After 4 Years

▲ A Chinese illegal fishing vessel seized by the Coast Guard on May 9 (The photo above is not related to the article.)

South Korea and China have resumed joint patrols to crack down on illegal fishing in the Yellow Sea for the first time in four years.

According to the South Korean Embassy in China on October 12, South Korean fishery guidance vessels and Chinese coast guard ships have been conducting joint patrols since October 8 in the provisional measures zone, a South Korea-China joint fishery management zone in the Yellow Sea.

The joint patrol, which runs through October 17, marks the first resumption in four years since 2022. The two countries are patrolling the waters together to crack down on illegal activities such as illegal fishing.

In particular, law enforcement and inspection officials from both countries are scheduled to board each other's vessels to share inspection methods and experiences, thereby strengthening on-site cooperation.

An official from the South Korean Embassy in China stated, "The eradication of illegal fishing is one of the areas where cooperative outcomes are emerging following the South Korea-China summit," adding, "Through this joint patrol, we will strengthen cooperation and communication between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries."

This joint patrol follows the agreement between the two countries to strengthen cooperation for the eradication of illegal fishing.

Previously on July 1, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that it would strengthen joint enforcement coordination with the Chinese Coast Guard to respond to increasingly sophisticated and intelligent illegal fishing by Chinese vessels.

Based on evidence of illegal fishing provided by the South Korean government, the two sides agreed that the Chinese side will step up enforcement at its domestic ports and harbors and promptly notify South Korea of the results.

They also discussed revising penalties for vessels committing severe violations and overhauling relevant regulations to crack down on illegal vessel modifications, such as secret fishholds used to conceal illegal catches.

(Photo provided by the West Sea 5 Islands Special Guard Armada of the Central Regional Coast Guard Agency, Yonhap News)

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