Pollack fishing quota in Russian waters to jump this year

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, June 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has secured a significant increase in its
pollack fishing quota within Russia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the
government said Monday.
The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said under the
agreement ironed out in Moscow last week, South Korean ships will be allowed to
catch 36,000 tons of pollack, or a 75 percent increase from the 20,500-ton limit
set in the past few years.
"The decision is expected to help the country secure valuable fishing grounds for
its boats and stem the gradual reduction in fish caught in Russia's EEZ," an
official said.
He added, that Seoul and Moscow plan to sign a formal pact in September that
outlines cooperation to ferret out illegal fishing that is expected to go into
effect next year. Such a move should permit the pollack fishing quota to be
raised to 40,000 tons per year.
The ministry, meanwhile said the quota increase comes after the summit meeting
between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev that was held last September.
At the meeting, Lee asked his counterpart to raise the fishing quota to 40,000
tons a year, a figure that had been reached in 2000 then cut back.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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