|
Increasing number of recent illegal whaling in the west coast, Korea Coast Guard will continue to take aim at illegal whaling until 31th May.
The Coast Guard found a fishing boat carrying 100 kilograms of minke whales disbanded in waters near Eocheng Island in Gunsan City on Wednesday, and arrested five crews including Captain ‘A’(49), on charges of violating the Fisheries Act.
The whale, which was torn down by ‘A’, is 5 to 6 meters long and weighs 3 tons. He punished twice for illegally catching whales. Last month, Captain ‘B’and five crews were arrested, who illegally caught and dismantled the mink whale in waters near Wangdeung Island in Buan County. ‘B’ was also punished once for illegal whaling. The whaling vessels of ‘A’ and ‘B’ are equipped with handgrips that can throw harpoons at bow, a lookout post that can detect the movement of whales in the middle of the boat, and a facility for the slicing of whales by the side of the boat.
There are 53 whales which caught illegally in Korea from 2014 to last year. The number of fishermen caught in illegal whaling was four in 2016; 24 in 2017; and 16 last year. Korea has banned the whaling since 1986. However, if a whale is caught in a fishing net (mixed catch) to catch a particular fish, the distribution is exceptionally allowed.
From 2014 to last year, there are 7,903 whales that were caught in a fishing net. The whales are subject to a survey by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Coast Guard to issue a certificate of distribution.
The Korea Coast Guard has been focusing on suspected whaling ships, which are estimated to have increased 31 vessels last year due to rising demand for whale meat. Illegal whaling can result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.
|