August 2, 2012

South Korea, China to reduce fishing in territorial waters by 2013

South Korea and China have agreed to reduce fishing in each other's territorial waters by 2013, in order to preserve maritime resources.

Under the agreement reached during a fishery cooperation meeting in Hunan last week, both sides set next year's fishing quota in each other's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) at 60,000 tonnes, according to the ministry.

This year's quotas are 62,500 tonnes for China and 62,000 tonnes for Korea.

The neighbouring countries also limited the number of boats allowed to operate in each other's areas at 1,600 for next year. This year, 1,650 Chinese vessels are allowed to fish in Korea's exclusive waters, while the ceiling is 1,600 for Korean vessels in China's waters.

The ministry said that the two countries also agreed to strengthen punishments on illegal fishing activities in the EEZs and to continue discussions on details in their next meeting.