The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Thu, August 11, 2022 | 14:18
-------------------------
Dongwon, gov't blamed for 'illegal fishing' tag
Posted : 2013-11-28 16:32
Updated : 2013-11-28 16:32
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Nam Hyun-woo

The government, Dongwon Industries and other fisheries companies are under fire for failing to take preemptive steps to prevent the E.U.'s preliminary listing of Korea as a country engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF).

On Nov. 26, the European Commission handed out formal warnings to Korea for failing to keep up with its international obligation to fight IUUF.

It said that it has identified specific shortcomings in the country, such as a lack of action to address deficiencies in monitoring fishing vessels through tracking devices and control of fisheries companies, and suggested corrective actions to resolve them.

Its preliminary designation of the country as an IUUF nation came as a shock to Korea, which prides itself as being a fishing powerhouse with 344 registered vessels in 2012.

Though the listing will not, at this stage, entail any measures affecting trade, if Korea is designated as a full IUUF nation, all fish and fish products caught or manufactured by Korean fleets and their owner companies will be banned from sale in the E.U.

From 2010, the E.U. urged the Korean government to actively engage in stopping illegal fishing, after a number of international environmental organizations disclosed fishing illegalities by Korean ships. Rumors that the E.U. could issue a warning to the country were common place.

But the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries claimed that it was talking with the E.U. and Korea would not likely face any penalties.

In July, the government strengthened its punitive measures against illegal fishing, including imposing fines three times the amount earned from sales of the fish, through a revision to the respective law. But the E.U. reportedly did not accept the revision, saying "The revision lacks control over IUUF."

Park Ji-hyun at Greenpeace said that the revision was nothing more than a makeshift measure.

"Compared to the fishing laws of other countries, such as the U.S. or European countries, the revision affects the punishment. It lacks measures to prevent the trade of illegally caught fishes or preserving fish resources," she said.

Eight countries have been warned by the E.U. for illegal fishing last year and three of them -- Belize, Cambodia and Guinea -- were designated as full IUUF nations this year.

"If the government fails to show any improvement, it might suffer a similar trade ban that prohibits countries from selling fish in the E.U.," Park said.

Though the country might be stigmatized as an IUUF nation, the ministry recently suspended the introduction of a compulsory Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), which tracks a fishing vessel's whereabouts, until July next year. China has already made it compulsory.

The E.U. picked that as one of the reasons why it warned Korea; but the ministry claimed that enforcing the system which will cost millions of won for each vessel could be a financial burden to companies.

According to a fishing industry insider, who asked for anonymity, it may be burdensome for some small companies, but it was not a big deal for large companies such as Dongwon, Korea's largest canned tuna provider.

"Six large companies, like Dongwon and Sajo Industries, take about 80 percent of the ministry's subsidies to the fishing industry amounting to 300 billion won a year," Park said.

The E.U. warning came after a series of IUUF incidents perpetrated by Korean fleets around the world.

In April, Dongwon paid a fine of $2 million to the Liberian government its fishing vessel "Premier" was caught fishing in waters off the African country without a permit.

The company claimed they were deceived by a local agency, Inter-Bulgo, but failed to provide any evidence and the ship was impounded for 60 days.

"The Liberian case garnered attention from international society because Dongwon is a big-name company in the industry," an insider said.

"It is difficult to deny that the company was partly to blame for Korea's preliminary designation as an IUUF nation," he added.


Emailnamhw@ktimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Korea urged to take preemptive steps to deal with climate change-induced disasters
  • What Seoul's worst rainfall in 115 years looked like
  • Musinsa's new store becomes hot spot in southern Seoul
  • Flood damage to vehicles during torrential rain to hit insurers
  • 'Children must play right now'
  • Bill Gates expected to meet with top business leaders in Korea
  • Seoul reiterates that '3 Nos' policy is not commitment to China
  • Han River sunset cruise: Seoul's new tourist focal point
  • [INTERVIEW] Polish arms deal may well lead to greater opportunities for Korea: expert
  • Retailers slash product prices to draw consumers as inflation soars
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • BLACKPINK to start world tour in October BLACKPINK to start world tour in October
    • [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration' [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration'
    • 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement
    • 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family' 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family'
    • Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group