Greenpeace pushes for better Korean IUU fishing regs

Environmental activist group Greenpeace pressed its protest against Korean fishing vessels the group accused of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing today by using divers to stop one, the Insung 3, from leaving port.

Greenpeace accused the South Korean government of not doing enough to prevent the Insung 3 from operating after the government found enough evidence of IUU fishing activity to issue a fine and confiscate the boat’s catch. On 20 November, when the Insung 3 was scheduled to leave its port in Busan, South Korea, divers for Greenpeace chained the vessel’s propeller.

Greenpeace has been using its allegations against the Insung 3 to support its calls for the Korean government to strengthen IUU-related regulations.

The Korean government did find sufficient proof of IUU fishing to impose a fine of 1.5 million (USD 11,463, EUR 9,126), confiscate verified illegal catch on the vessel, and suspend the vessel’s business for 30 days, but Greenpeace protestors were not satisfied. After chaining the propeller, a diver (pictured) held up a sign complaining about the punishment which Greenpeace said does not fit the crime.

Greenpeace is not alone in its concerns about Korean fishing vessels and IUU fishing. The European Commission has been engaged in a series of warnings and calls for trade bans against multiple countries, and has made no secret that Korea is its largest and ultimate target.

As part of its protest, Greenpeace has presented a suggested series of improvements to Korea’s IUU fishing regulations to the Korean government and multiple other international bodies, including the commission.

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