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The price of whale meat has doubled since last year. That's because whale meat is in short supply since the Korea Coast Guard intensified a crackdown on whale poaching and the illegal trade of whale meat.
The Coast Guard in Donghae, Gangwon Province began a crackdown on whaling and whale trading in November in Pohang and Ulsan, North Gyeongsang Province. On Monday it arrested three seamen, including a 47-year-old whaling ship skipper identified as Chang.
Chang and the others were charged with poaching and illegally selling whale on at least three occasions between May and August of last year. Whale poaching carries a penalty of up to three years' imprisonment or a fine of up to W20 million (US$1=W1,029).
Whaling has been totally banned in Korea's coastal waters since the mid-1980s. Only whales caught accidentally or dead whales found adrift can be auctioned, and only after the Coast Guard has confirmed that the animals were not poached.
There are 40 whale meat restaurants operating in Ulsan, a region that accounts for more than 80 percent of the country's entire whale meat consumption.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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