Dongwon's fishing vessel. (Photo Credit: Alex Hofford/Greenpeace)

Dongwon Industries' allegations refuted by Liberia´s govt

LIBERIA
Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 03:20 (GMT + 9)

Liberia's government has released a statement refuting Korea-based Dongwon Industries's allegations that they are a "victim of fraud" by officials in the Bureau of National Fisheries (BNF/MoA). Dongwon's fishing vessels Premier and Solevant, the government claimed, were both found to have been fishing illegally in Liberian waters, and Premier was carrying a forged license.

Further, the government said, the fishing license processes in the country are clear and publicly available from the bureau.

"Dongwon cannot demonstrate any legal agreement they had with a local agent to represent them (a requirement for licensing), payment into government accounts for the license fee (a requirement), nor can they provide any communication or document giving the vessels legal right to fish that has not been identified as a forgery by Liberia's officials," the government wrote.

The statement also noted that the government is "disappointed" to hear of these allegations given that the company's representatives are at this very moment in Liberia negotiating a settlement agreement for fines regarding both of the vessels' violations of the Liberian Fisheries Regulations.

When African authorities caught the purse seine tuna fishing vessel, Premier, using a fake fishing license in 2011 and 2012, Dongwon sent a letter, forged to appear from the BNF/MoA, to the Korean Government implying that the allegation of illegal fishing was a misunderstanding. The same letter was also sent to African governments to obtain new fishing licenses for the same vessel.

The government of Liberia has asked the Korean Government to step in and investigate the Premier’s violations. Eight member countries of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) have already refused Dongwon's ship entry into their territorial waters, and the UK and European Union (EU) have issued warnings against entry of illegally caught fish into their ports, according to Greenpeace.

“Greenpeace is calling on the South Korean government to call the company’s fleet home, conduct an investigation into their vessel’s activities, and prosecute as necessary,” the organisation urged.

Under Korean law, a vessel caught fishing illegally can have its license revoked, and if found guilty of repeated illegal activities, its highest executive can face up to three years in jail and millions of dollars in penalties.

Dongwon Industries is notorious for illegal fishing and came last in Greenpeace’s Korean sustainable tuna guide in 2012.

Related articles:

- Greenpeace escalates anti-Dongwon campaign
-  Greenpeace goes after Dongwon over their fishing methods

By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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