

Chinese coast guard busted 1,493 fishing boats violating the moratorium and confiscated their catches (Photo: Stockfile)

637 facing criminal prosecution for violating fishing ban

CHINA

Wednesday, September 30, 2020, 05:50 (GMT + 9)

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A total of 637 people caught breaking the summer fishing ban have been placed under compulsory criminal law enforcement measures and are facing criminal prosecution, the Chinese coast guard said Tuesday.

The suspects were caught in a just-concluded joint operation launched by the China Coast Guard and the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

During the operation, the coast guard busted 1,493 fishing boats violating the moratorium and confiscated their catches weighing 4,290 tonnes.

Photo: courtesy dy.163

The coast guard also worked with local fishery authorities to carry out special operations against violations made by foreign fishing boats and safeguard China's fishery interests and maritime rights.

China's summer fishing ban, starting on May 1 each year, is part of China's efforts to protect marine fishery resources and the ecological environment.

No fishing activities are allowed in the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the waters north of 12 degrees north latitude in the South China Sea during the moratorium period.

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