"Illegal Fishing, Stop Right There"... Aircraft and Patrol Vessel Coordinate 'Three-Dimensional Operation near Heuksando'

Two Hours of Monitoring Joint Operations
by Trawlers and Jigging Vessels

Aircraft Locates and Documents Suspected Vessels;
Patrol Vessel Tracks and Apprehends

The West Sea Coast Guard Headquarters deployed both aircraft and patrol vessels simultaneously on the pitch-black night sea to conduct three-dimensional tracking and enforcement operations against vessels suspected of illegal joint fishing operations.

The West Sea Coast Guard announced on August 11 that in the early morning hours of August 3, it conducted a special nighttime patrol near Heuksando with both aircraft and patrol vessels working in coordination. The operation involved intensive surveillance and on-site enforcement focused on vessels suspected of illegal joint fishing operations.

This special patrol was conducted in the seas near Heuksando, a region where illegal joint fishing operations frequently occur.

The Coast Guard's CN-235 aircraft utilized advanced equipment such as a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera and radar to detect vessels moving in the darkness in real time.

The West Sea Coast Guard is capturing evidence of suspected illegal cooperative fishing activities using thermal imaging equipment. Provided by the West Sea Coast Guard Headquarters.

The aircraft arrived at the site at approximately 3:46 a.m., confirming the locations of a trawler and a jigging vessel. It then used thermal imaging equipment to precisely capture footage of scenes suspected of illegal joint fishing operations.

The footage and location information secured by the aircraft were immediately relayed to the Mokpo 1509 patrol vessel that was deployed on-site. The aircraft and patrol vessel maintained multiple communications to share the positions and movements of the suspected vessels, continuing their pursuit and enforcement efforts.

In particular, the aircraft maintained intensive surveillance for approximately two hours, repeatedly flying at low altitudes and changing altitude to identify the names of the vessels and the forms of their fishing operations. Even as weather conditions worsened and until the mission concluded, the aircraft continued to provide real-time updates to the patrol vessel.

The video released by the Coast Guard shows the thermal imaging camera identifying vessels on the pitch-dark night sea, with the aircraft and patrol vessel exchanging real-time information and pursuing the vessels suspected of illegal joint fishing operations.

Joint fishing operations involve two or more fishing boats dividing roles and operating together. If conducted without proper authorization, these practices can undermine the preservation of marine resources and fair fishing regulations. This is why the Coast Guard maintains ongoing enforcement activities against such operations.

Baek Hakseon, Commissioner of the West Sea Coast Guard Headquarters, stated, "It is particularly difficult to detect illegal activities at night, which is why we continue to strengthen a three-dimensional surveillance system linking aircraft and patrol vessels." He added, "We will make every effort to eradicate illegal fishing and create a safer West Sea by actively utilizing advanced surveillance equipment."

Meanwhile, the West Sea Coast Guard Headquarters plans to strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing and maritime crimes by integrating a variety of maritime surveillance assets—including aircraft, patrol vessels, and drones—and will actively release footage of its on-site response.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.