The South Korean government should “prioritise stopping illegal fishing activities” to rescue its fish trade with the US and the EU, says Jiehyun Park, Greenpeace East Asia Oceans campaigner.
According to Greenpeace East Asia’s report, Korea’s Distant Water Fisheries: IUU Fishing, International Violations and Human Rights Scandals, Korea’s fleet has been linked to scandals involving exploitative practices in the Southern Ocean, overfishing of toothfish in Antarctica, pirate fishing and forgery in Africa and cruel abuses against fishing crews in the Pacific Ocean.
Mr Park explained: “Wide ranging reforms in South Korea’s distant water policies are urgently required to rebuild the country's international reputation and ensure the sustainable future of its fishing industry.”
Greenpeace is urging the Korean government to bring its fishing industry under control and adopt a policy that ensures legal and sustainable fishing, or risk a global backlash on its fisheries exports.
Mr Park added: “Unless action is taken we expect an international backlash with market related and other measures by both the US and EU to sanction these destructive and unethical practices based on their progressive legislations and increasing demand for sustainable and ethical seafood products.”
Greenpeace says Korean parliamentarians reacted quickly to the report, but instead of holding thorough investigations, they tolerated and covered up the crimes.
Campaigners are calling for an end to illegal and unsustainable fishing and for a global network of marine reserves covering 40% of the world’s oceans to ensure ample fish for future generations.
