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South Korean Distant Water Fisheries
South Korean Distant Water Fisheries
Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated – and tarnished by human rights abuses
April 2013
Executive summary
South Korea is one of the leading distant water fishing powers, with 359 vessels operating in all oceans of the world. In recent years, many cases of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and human right abuses have been reported, especially of foreign crew working on South Korean fishing vessels. As a result of these incidents, and the lack of action taken by South Korea as a flag and beneficial owner state to combat IUU fishing and regulate its fleets, it has been identified by the US as an IUU fishing nation together with nine other nations.
Concerns have also been raised about the entry of IUU caught fish involving Korean vessels in West African waters into the EU market. Given these facts, the key question arises on whether South Korea is sincere about sustainable fishing, or whether it is more interested in covering up the misconduct of its fishing industry, which benefits from low operating standards and business ethics, as well as illegal and abusive conduct.
Greenpeace has compiled information on IUU scandals involving South Korean-flagged or South Korean-owned vessels flying another flag (see Appendix 1). Currently, there are vessels owned by 15 South Korean companies that have been identified as being involved in IUU fishing activities internationally. Also, several human right violations have been reported taking place on these vessels. Unfortunately, it is unclear on the action that has been taken to date by the South Korean government due to the lack of transparency and secrecy in this sector. Given the lack of information, it can only be assumed that punishment for these crimes has not been commensurate with the seriousness of the crimes committed. This briefing exposes South Korea’s blatant disregard for the international agreements by which it is bound.
The very serious cases of IUU fishing and human rights abuses by the South Korean fishing industry presented here demonstrate that the South Korean government fails to fulfil its international responsibilities to regulate its fishing industry. Instead it allows greedy companies to exploit the Southern Ocean, steal income and food from West African nations and allows cruel abuses of fishing crews in the South Pacific.
Greenpeace urges the new Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in South Korea to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Environment to bring the fishing industry under control. In particular these Ministries must work together to take concrete steps to stop IUU fishing activities and other violations, including unsustainable fishing practises and human rights abuses. South Korea must adopt a fisheries policy that ensures the sustainable exploitation of ocean resources and the conservation of the marine environment based on the ecosystem and precautionary approaches. An in-depth reform is urgently required, not only to ensure the future of its fishing industry, but also to rebuild South Korea’s international reputation as a nation that is able to take the lead on sustainable fishing.
Report: South_Korean_Distant_Water_Fisheries.pdf
Greenpeace
Greenpeace exists because this fragile earth deserves a voice.
Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.
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