[News Today] Chinese fishing boat seized in West Sea

[LEAD]

A Chinese fishing vessel operating illegally in the West Sea has been caught by the Coast Guard. The vessel tried to flee, even cutting its nets, but was chased down and seized.

[REPORT]

A Coast Guard boat quickly approaches a Chinese fishing vessel that is fishing illegally.

As soon as the Coast Guard reaches it, special operations officers quickly board the vessel.

They climb to the second level to secure the wheelhouse, while simultaneously searching the front and rear of the ship.

In just five minutes, they capture 15 crew members and seize the vessel.

The 100-ton fishing boat was caught operating illegally in Korea's Exclusive Economic Zone after crossing 2.4 kilometers past the fisheries agreement line near the West Gyeongnyeolbi-yeoldo island in the West Sea.

The Chinese fisherman ignored the order to stop, cut their fishing nets, and fled the scene, but they were eventually captured by the Coast Guard using aircraft and patrol ships.

The seized boat turned out to be a trawler that catches fish en masse by dragging nets along the ocean floor.

Its catch was found to reach 30 tons.

Kang Cheon-soo / Taean Coast Guard

The captain admitted to illegally entering EEZ and fishing. We’ll review investigation under detention if they fail to pay a security deposit.

Chinese fishermen continue to conduct such illegal activities every year.

Some 50 Chinese fishing vessels have been seized annually over the past five years for operating illegally or violating fishing terms and conditions in the Korean Exclusive Economic Zone.