BEIJING - Chinese fishermen have been told to stop fishing in the waters off the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s east coast because of a bilateral dispute over fuel supplies.

Waters off DPRK's east coast are risky due to the complicated and changeful situation in the Korea Peninsula and their proximity to Russia, Japan and the Republic of Korea, China's Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) said in a statement.

A large number of Chinese trawlers work in the waters every year. Without stringent rules and arrangements disputes can happen, the statement said.

Trawlers can fish in the waters if they get approval from authorities in China and the DPRK.

In late June, the DPRK said Chinese ships had to buy fuel from its suppliers rather than making their own arrangements as in the past.

"The DPRK's decision causes serious harm and potential risks to normal operations and work safety of Chinese trawlers," the MOA statement said.

The MOA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have asked local authorities to recall trawlers working in those waters and increase supervision to prevent possible disputes.

Individuals and organizations who go fishing in those waters without the approval of the Chinese government will be punished according to the Criminal Law, according to the statement.