Immediate Demolition of Abandoned Illegal Fishing Gear, Amendment of the Fisheries Act to Strengthen Fishing Gear Management

 

Introduction of fishing gear towing system, Fishing Gear Management Log, and lost fishing gear reporting system...Expected to protect the marine environment

 

Improvement of regulation to allow fishing gear production and sales business upon reporting

 

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced that a partial amendment to the Fisheries Act was approved at the cabinet meeting on Monday, April 14, and that it will take effect one year after its promulgation. This revision aims to minimize damage caused by abandoned illegal fishing gear and strengthen the legal framework for marine environmental protection and sustainable use of fishery resources.

 

 The partial amendment bill for the Fisheries Act—which passed the National Assembly plenary session on April 2—is a follow-up measure to the Fishing Gear Circulation Management Plan for Preventing Abandoned Fishing Gear announced at the Ministerial Meeting on National Affairs on September 26 last year.

 

 As for the main contents of the enforcement decree draft, first, a new Fishing Gear Removal System (tentatively named) that immediately removes illegal or unlicensed fishing gear from the scene has been introduced. Although demolishing illegal fishing gear had been ineffective due to complex procedures under the Administrative Vicarious Execution Act and establishment of the special application system* under the Act, authorities can now swiftly enforce removals. In particular, fishing gear installed without permission and those that violated the use limit or restricted fishing zones/periods or failed to comply with the real-name fishing gear system are also subject to removal.

 

 Moreover, to strengthen fishermen's autonomous management of fishing gear use and disposal of discarded fishing gear, the amendment mandates creating and retaining a fishing gear management log. The law obligates operators in high-waste fisheries to create a Fishing Gear Management Log detailing the records of gear use, storage, disposal, and loss and keep it on their fishing boats for at least three years.

 

 A new reporting system for lost fishing gear has been introduced as well. If a certain quantity of fishing gear or more is lost, fishermen must report it to MOF, local governments, or Korea Coast Guard. Anyone who fails to prepare, keep, or preserve the Fishing Gear Management Log, falsifies records, or neglects the reporting of lost fishing gear will be slapped with a fine of up to KRW 1 million.

 

 In addition, to ease the burden on small businesses and the self-employed, the amendment has upgraded the regulation so that fishing gear production and sales businesses can conduct business immediately with Report Not Requiring Repair instead of the existing Report Requiring Repair.

 

 “We will promptly establish subsidiary regulations to ensure smooth implementation, actively resolve the issue of illegal fishing gear, and establish a foundation for protecting the marine environment and sustainable fishing industries. We will also strengthen education and PR targeting fishermen, and I ask for active cooperation and interest from fishermen," Minister Kang Do-hyung said.