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Legislative Notice for the Partial Amendment of the Subordinate Legislation of the Fisheries Act for the Implementation of a New Fishing Gear Management System

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    2026.01.29.

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Legislative Notice for the Partial Amendment of the Subordinate Legislation of the Fisheries Act for the Implementation of a New Fishing Gear Management System
- Immediate removal of illegal fishing gear, and the imposition of fees, fines, and administrative sanctions against offenders
- Introduction of a record system for fishing gear management and a reporting system for lost fishing gear, starting with offshore fisheries (gill nets, traps, eel traps, and stow nets)
- Strengthening joint inspections with the Korea Coast Guard during compliance inspections of fishing gear manufacturing and sales businesses, as well as fishing gear and buoy deposit systems
【Related National Tasks】76. Unwavering maritime sovereignty and safe and clean seas

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced that—following the introduction of a new fishing gear management system through a partial amendment of the Fisheries Act on April 22 last year—it has prepared the Enforcement Decree of the Fisheries Act and the Enforcement Rules, which stipulate the details necessary for the system's implementation. The legislative notice of these regulations will be conducted for 40 days, from January 14 to February 23.
 
The new fishing gear management system consists of three main components: ▲ the Immediate Removal System for Illegal Fishing Gear (tentative name)*, which enables the prompt removal of illegal or unauthorized fishing gear upon discovery; ▲ the Record System for Fishing Gear Management, which aims to prevent excessive use of fishing gear and ensure the proper disposal of discarded gear; and ▲ the Reporting System for Lost Fishing Gear, which facilitates the efficient collection of discarded fishing gear and helps prevent maritime safety accidents. These systems have been introduced to ensure fishermen's accountability regarding fishing gear use and to prevent the generation of abandoned fishing gear.
 
* The procedures under Paragraph 1 (Notification) and Paragraph 2 (Notification of Enforcement Warrant) of Article 3 of the Administrative Vicarious Execution Act are omitted, and illegal fishing gear is removed immediately upon discovery at the site.
 
The Ministry has established detailed measures to enhance the effectiveness of the system by collecting opinions from local governments, the Korea Coast Guard, fishermen, and relevant experts nationwide.
 
The main contents of the amendment to the subordinate regulations include: ▲ details concerning special provisions for the application of administrative vicarious execution, covering the storage, disposal, and cost recovery of removed fishing gear and facilities, as well as penalties and administrative sanctions for violations; and ▲ the types of fishing activities subject to the Fishing Gear Management Record system, the criteria and procedures for reporting lost fishing gear, and detailed standards for imposing fines (up to KRW 1 million) for noncompliance.
 
Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Fisheries Act Amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Fisheries Act
▸Methods for the storage and disposal of removed fishing gear and facilities
▸Return and attribution of removed fishing gear and facilities
▸Public officials responsible for checking and inspecting fishing gear management records
▸Delegation of authority and entrustment of duties
▸Detailed criteria for the imposition of fines
▸Matters regarding the processing of unique identification information		 ▸Method of public notice for the removal of fishing gear
▸Methods for releasing illegal catches and their attribution to the national treasury or local governments
▸Types of fishing activities subject to fishing gear management records and related details
▸Scale of lost fishing gear subject to reporting and reporting method
▸Various forms (fishing gear/facility storage ledger, return application form, fishing gear management record book, and lost fishing gear report form)
 
In particular, the Record System for Fishing Gear Management and the Reporting System for Lost Fishing Gear will first be applied to offshore fisheries using gill nets, traps (including eel traps), and stow nets—which involve high levels of gear use and loss as well as high fishing intensity—and will be expanded to offshore fisheries in the future.
 
In addition, an obligation to report lost fishing gear applies when the scale of loss exceeds routine, naturally occurring levels and reaches a large volume. Fishermen are required to report such losses immediately upon occurrence or within 24 hours after returning to port to the competent local maritime and fisheries office, coast guard station, or city/county/district office at the port of arrival.
 
* (Reporting standards) gill nets (1,000 meters or more), traps (100 or more), and stow nets (1 or more)
 
Additionally, to facilitate the establishment of the fishing gear management system, part of the relevant authority has been delegated to the Korea Coast Guard, enabling it to provide guidance and conduct inspections of fishing gear manufacturing and sales businesses, as well as the fishing gear and buoy deposit system.
 
“The newly introduced fishing gear management system is intended to protect the marine environment and ensure sustainable fishing, and it requires the active interest and cooperation of fishermen. To ensure that the system is firmly established, we plan to minimize inconvenience to fishermen and strengthen education and publicity for them,” said Choi Hyun-ho, Director General of the Fisheries Policy at the MOF.
 
This amendment is available on the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries website (www.mof.go.kr). Individuals, organizations, or groups with opinions may submit them by Monday, February 23, by email to the Fishery Gear Circulation Planning Division of MOF (dpa93@korea.kr), or by submitting them through the MOF website or the Citizen Participation in Legislation Center website (opinion.lawmaking.go.kr).
 
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