Illegal fishing is becoming more commonplace in local waters. Chinese vessels, as well as boats from other parts of Korea, are flouting rules forbidding them from operating in the area. This all adds up to a huge headache for Jeju's own fishermen. Dean Brown has more.

[Slug CG] Off Chuja Island, Jeju City

The waters surrounding Chuja Island are pitch-black at night.
Here we see a vessel with bright lights hauling in nets.

The fish they have caught purely at random include yellow corvina and mackerel, amounting to 15 containers.

The boat in question is a large bull trawler, operating illegally in this restricted area.

[Slug CG] Illegal fishing vessels spotted near coastline

Bull trawlers are supposed to catch fish far from land, but they continue to show up near the coast, sweeping up everything, including fry.

[Camera] Ko Moon-su

Since the most recent seasonal restrictions came to an end, more and more Chinese fishing vessels have been spotted working illegally in the vicinity of Jeju. Compounding the problem, the amount of fish caught locally has declined recently, making life harder for those making their living on the ocean.

[Interview] Bang In-su / Fisherman
We local fishermen can do our job if the local government does something to chase them out of our waters. To make matters worse, fishing boats from other provinces are also taking everything they can find, including young fish.
"단속만 해줘도 국내선만 해도 제주 어민들이 살텐데 다른지방 배들이 싹쓸이합니다.
치어만 안 잡아도 괜찮은데 다 잡아갑니다.

Local fishermen continue to suffer as a direct result of illegal fishing vessels operating with impunity in Jeju's territorial waters.

[Interview] Gong Yu-jin / Captain, Fisheries guidance vessel
Our fisheries guidance vessels have a hard time driving illegal boats out of our waters, as the illegal fishing is typically carried out on days with inclement weather or on weekends. However, we will work harder to keep them out.
"기상악화나 주말, 지도선들이 활동이 어려운 시점에 불법조업이 이뤄지고 있습니다. 제주도어업지도선에는 강력하게 단속해나갈 예정입니다."

[Reporter] Dean Brown

Industry leaders are now urging the provincial government to take steps to tackle the issue before it's too late.

Dean Brown KCTV