Founded in 1962, the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup) has long led the Korean fishing industry.

Warming Waters Push South Korean Fishing Fleet to the Brink

SOUTH KOREA
Wednesday, October 09, 2024, 06:20 (GMT + 9)

BUSAN – Rising sea temperatures and deteriorating fishing conditions are pushing South Korea’s offshore fishing fleet to a crisis point, with over half of the vessels considering decommissioning.

The National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives for Large Trawlers revealed that 74 out of 136 vessels in its fleet have expressed interest in joining a government-led decommissioning program next year. This is a dramatic surge compared to just two years ago when only six vessels applied, and 15 last year.

The federation, which represents three types of large trawling operations — single-boat trawlers, pair trawlers, and large otter trawlers — primarily targets key species such as squid, hairtail, Spanish mackerel, and yellow croaker.

The sharp rise in decommissioning requests is driven by a steep decline in productivity, as worsening fishing conditions force crucial species like squid and Spanish mackerel to migrate northward in search of cooler waters. This shift is widely attributed to rising sea temperatures.

Compounding the issue is South Korea’s Fisheries Act, which rigidly defines fishing zones by operation type, preventing vessels from following the migrating fish populations. This inflexibility has resulted in steadily falling catches.

The industry also faces skyrocketing operational costs due to rising fuel prices, exacerbated by the Ukraine war, and higher labor costs, creating a perfect storm of economic pressures for fishing operators.

Industry leaders are calling for comprehensive support, including fuel subsidies and more flexible fishing zone regulations, to prevent the collapse of the sector.

A federation official emphasized the seriousness of the situation: “Fish populations are highly sensitive to water temperatures. With ongoing high temperatures and frequent tropical depressions, fishing conditions are becoming increasingly unstable.”

He criticized the Fisheries Act as outdated, having been enacted decades ago, and said it no longer reflects current environmental challenges.

“While there is assistance for aquaculture operations affected by rising water temperatures, those of us fishing in open waters are left without support,” the official added. He stressed the urgent need for measures like adjusting fishing seasons and zones, warning that many fishing companies are nearing bankruptcy.

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