BUSAN — Authorities will launch a special crackdown on illegal fishing and the unauthorized placement of fishing gear at Busan Port, where large merchant ships and small fishing boats share congested waters. Officials said the autumn peak fishing season raises the risk of maritime accidents, including collisions caused by vessels straying into shipping lanes and by obstacles left at sea.
The Busan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries said on the 16th that it will conduct joint inspections with related agencies for two weeks, from Oct. 19 through Nov. 2. Participating bodies include the East Sea Fisheries Management Service, the Busan Metropolitan Government and the Busan and Changwon coast guard offices.
Inspectors will target illegal fishing around main shipping lanes and anchorages, the unauthorized installation of obstacles such as fishing nets, and small vessels stopping within or crossing shipping lanes without permission. Because shipping lanes and anchorages are where large vessels enter, leave and moor, improperly placed fishing gear or small boats in those areas pose a direct hazard to navigation.
Violations will be subject to fines or criminal referral under the Act on the Arrival and Departure of Ships.
The office said it plans to remove hazards inside the port in advance through cooperation among the agencies and to establish order in vessel traffic.