Illegal Fishing Crackdown

[Anchor Lead]

Illegal fishing operations by Chinese fishermen in Korean territorial waters of the Yellow Sea have plunged substantially this year. The noticeable decrease can be attributed to the Korean Coast Guard's formidable presence, in addition to the Chinese government's recent crackdown. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

A high-speed boat carrying fully armed coast guard troops is dispatched. The boat slaloms through buoys before facing a simulated illegal fishing boat. The fishing boat is immediately ordered to stop.

[Soundbite] "Chinese fishing boat! Chinese fishing boat! We are the Korean Coast Guard! Stop your boat!"

The vessel ignores the order and attempts to flee, but the Coast Guard boat catches up with it and the troops swiftly climb aboard. Only two minutes and 10 seconds elapsed from dispatch to boarding. The boat passed the two-and-a-half minute cutline with flying colors.

[Soundbite] Jo Dong-su(Five West Sea Islands Coast Guard Unit) : "As our response tactics have been improved, we can respond more effectively in actual situations to resisting Chinese sailors."

The ability to use gear to subdue resistance and provide emergency medical care is crucial in order to carry out the missions. There is no margin for error. This is the Coast Guard skills contest, now marking its third year.

[Soundbite] Jeong Dae-cheon(Korea Coast Guard Central Regional Headquarters) : "The aim is for the coast guard troops to share their crackdown know-how and strengthen their resolve to catch illegal foreign fishing boats."

The number of Chinese fishing boats illegally operating in Korean territorial waters in the first half of this year has fallen some 80% compared to the same period last year. The Korean Coast Guard's improving capabilities and resolve are believed to have played a crucial part in the decrease in illegal fishing..