Restrictions and prohibitions on handling of domestically caught fishery products

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in Korea is revising the enforcement ordinance of the Fisheries Act to protect domestic fishery resources and establish a distribution order for fishery products. The revision includes a ban on the capture and distribution of female crabs, a violation of which could result in up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won. However, in some areas of Japan, the capture of female crabs is legal. DNA tests have shown that around 20% of the female Japanese crabs imported and distributed in Korea were domestically produced, raising concerns about illegal activities. The revised bill also allows the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries to restrict or prohibit the processing of catch products or products that are prohibited from being caught or collected domestically. Public comments on the revised bill can be submitted until April 28.

Recently, as the domestic distribution of female Japanese crabs has increased, concerns are growing among fishermen in the East Sea region. In response, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries prepared a revision to the enforcement ordinance of the Fisheries Act to protect domestic fishery resources and establish a distribution order for fishery products, and announced legislation on the 14th. In Korea, the capture and distribution of female crabs is prohibited to protect fishery resources, and violations are subject to imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of up to 20 million won. However, in some areas of Japan, the capture of female crabs is legally permitted, and last year alone, approximately 67 tons of female Japanese crabs were distributed to the domestic market. Japanese female crabs (Chionoecetes Bairdi) are different species from Korean female crabs (Chionoecetes Opilio), but they do not differ much in appearance except for the shape of their mouths, making it ...