The government has begun formulating detailed legal systems to prevent the distribution of illegally caught fish in coastal waters.

The policy aims to secure maximum catch information while minimizing the burdens and obligations placed on fishermen.

Ahead of the implementation of the Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Development Act scheduled for June 17 of next year, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced today (November 1) that it has drafted enforcement decrees and rules and will hold a legislative notice from November 2 to December 14.

Enacted on June 16, the Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Development Act shifts the management standards of coastal fisheries from a method-based approach to a catch-amount-centered approach. Its core is verifying the legality of marine products through reporting of catches (catching marine products), transshipment (transferring caught marine products to another vessel), and landing (bringing marine products ashore), as well as a catch certification system.

According to the draft enforcement decrees and rules, reporting catches and transshipment will be conducted primarily through a catch certification management application (app), though reports can also be made in writing or by phone.

Proxy reporting on behalf of the captain on board will also be permitted.

While landing is principally required to take place at designated locations, alternative locations may be used in cases of worsening weather conditions or vessel accidents.

In addition, the draft stipulates that when exporting, upon the request of the importing country, a certificate will be issued based on a catch confirmation document verifying the legality of domestic catches.

For imports, the submission of a catch certificate will be required for designated target items to block the distribution of illegally caught marine products.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries explained that a catch confirmation document is issued after verifying whether marine products caught domestically were harvested legally, while a catch certificate is a document proving that imported marine products were caught legally.

Furthermore, through special provisions, the obligation to report catches, transshipment, and landing for fishing vessels of less than 2 gross tons will take effect starting June 17, 2028.

Prior to the application date, catch confirmation documents can be issued regardless of whether reporting obligations have been fulfilled.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to finalize the system after reviewing opinions received during the legislative notice period.

The draft can be viewed on the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries website.

(Photo provided by the East Sea Fisheries Management Service, Yonhap News)