MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands fines Korean trawler for misreporting catches

A Korean flagged trawler was fined Monday £ 65,000 by the Falkland Islands government on three charges, two on false misreporting and one on catching unauthorized species. Kim Myeong, Master of the “Esperanza” was also fined £ 2,500 plus legal costs of £ 500.

Last August 26th the Falklands Fisheries Protection patrol vessel Sigma sighted four vessels operating suspiciously in the Islands EEZ including the Esperanza which was licenced to catch skate with a ten percent by catch allowance.

However when a Fisheries Department officer boarded the trawler the catch was found to be in excess of the 10% limit and a hold inspection discovered amongst the skate seven tons of Loligo squid which hadn't been declared in the catch report. The value of the excess catch was estimated in £ 27.000. When questioned the Korean trawler Master alleged there must have been mistaken calculations by the crew.

The vessel was then escorted to Stanley to face formal charges in court.

Richard Marlor acting in defence argued that the offences were committed inadvertently by an inexperienced crew and that this was the first time that charges had been brought against Master Myeong and the Dong Yang Fisheries Company, both in the Falklands and in the rest of the world where vessels from the company operate.

The defence admitted that "significant mistakes had been committed" but that there had been no deliberate attempt to conceal the excessive by catch, adding that the company had suffered losses of £ 90.000 due to the vessel being idle.

Mr. Marlor emphasized that the maximum fine for all three charges should be reserved for the worst offenders who deliberately conceal.

Senior Magistrate Claire Faulds noted that Mr Myeong and the Dong Yang Fisheries Company had given full co-operation and had pleaded guilty at the earliest possible time.

A fine of £ 65.000 was given to the Dong Yang Fisheries Company which included legal costs and the value of the by catch.

It was also stated that the vessel would not be discharged until all fines were paid.

Korean companies are among the leading purchasers of Falklands fishing licences and contrary to vessels from other flags, Korean trawlers and jiggers normally cooperate with Fisheries officials. (FIRS/MP).-