November 24, 2003

China Fishing Quota in South Korea Slash By 10,000 Tons
 

Next year's South Korean fishing quota in China's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) has been set at 60,000 tons, the same as this year, the Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries said Saturday.

But China's quota in South Korean EEZ will be cut by 10,000 tons to 83,000 tons, said the ministry in a news release.

The quota issue was a key part of bilateral maritime talks which ended in Beijing on Saturday. Other issues included the widespread Chinese poaching in South Korean waters, Seoul officials said.

The number of Chinese fishing boats to be allowed inside South Korea's EEZ next year will be cut by 281 ships to 2,250, the news release said.

China has agreed to allow 1,402 South Korean vessels to operate in its EEZ next year; the figure is the same as this year's.

Set to begin in 2005, both sides agreed to allow 2,000 ships to operate in each other's EEZ, the release said.