Definite Upgrading of Temporary Fishing Vessel Inspection Targets

Improving existing unclear and unnecessary temporary inspection targets to resolve inconveniences for fishermen

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced that the amended Enforcement Rules of the Fishing Vessels Act—which improve the temporary inspection system for fishing vessels to alleviate the inconvenience of fishermen—will enter into force on Monday, April 28.

 This amendment specifies and clarifies cases where a fishing vessel owner must undergo temporary inspection (each Subparagraph of Paragraph 1, Article 47 of the Enforcement Rules of the Fishing Vessels Act) while deleting unnecessary temporary inspection targets.

 Fishing vessel owner repairing specific equipment or facilities such as the vessel's engine or steering gear must undergo temporary inspection by MOF. Anyone failing to undergo temporary inspection will be slapped with a penalty; use of the vessel for navigation or fishing is subject to imprisonment of up to one year or fine of up to KRW 10 million.

 The amendment was made to reflect voices from the field. Institutional amendment is necessary because some of the provisions on temporary inspections of fishing vessels were ambiguous and unclear, leading to differences of opinion among fishing vessel owners, inspection authorities, and enforcement agencies, possibly affecting fishing vessel owners’ fishing schedules.

 When the amended Enforcement Rules of the Fishing Vessels Act go into effect, fishing vessel owners will be able to fish with peace of mind with reduced unnecessary administrative procedures as they no longer need to check with the enforcement agency individually if repairs to their fishing vessels are subject to temporary inspections.

 "We expect more convenience for fishermen such as reduction of costs associated with unnecessary temporary inspections. We plan to continue identifying ways to improve the system to resolve the inconveniences faced by our fishermen," Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung said.