[Photo] S. Korea identified as engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity

The US has marked South Korea as a country engaging in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, calling on Seoul to reign in such practices with tougher regulations. In its biennial report, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) accused South Korea of "failing to apply sufficient sanctions to deter its vessels from engaging in fishing activities that violate conservation and management measures” according to the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). In 2017, two South Korean fishing boats violated CCAMLR regulations in Antarctic waters. One of the boats continued operations for two days after an email notice concerning restricted waters was sent to its spam inbox, while the other boat continued operations for three more days even after receiving the email notice. If the IUU designation is confirmed by Congress, South Korean fishery exports to the US will be banned.