• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.773-779
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• 2022

Deep-sea fisheries in Korea play an essential role in supplying popular seafood and providing food security. Countries, as well as the IMO (International Maritime Organization), have attempted to establish an internationally harmonized safety standard for fishing vessels. However, starting with the adoption of 'The Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessel 1977', the '2012 Cape Town Agreement' was adopted, but the requirements for enforcement were not met. However, with the 2019 Torremolinos Declaration, the effect of the agreement became visible. Korea is also about to ratify the agreement, and deep-sea fishing vessels are subject to the agreement. The length of the hull or the gross tonnage can be selected as the criteria for applying the 2012 Cape Town Agreement, and this is also partially applied to the existing vessels. Analyzing 188 deep-sea fishing vessels registered as members of the Korea Overseas Fisheries Association to confirm the effect on the existing vessels showed that the application of gross tonnage had little impact on the ratification of the agreement. In addition, laws must be revised for the compulsorization of GMDSS facilities such as two-way VHF and radar transponders and for the safety familiarization of fishermen. In the industry, the facilities required by the agreement must be provided, and the fishermen must be familiarized with safety.