Divers participating in the “PLOVING” event off the coast of Yeongnak-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do. (Image courtesy of Jeju Island)
JEJU, Dec. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – On November 25, Jeju Island hosted the inaugural ‘Plogging with the Southern Bottlenose Dolphin’ event at Hyeopjae Beach in Jeju City, aiming to protect marine life along the island’s coast, particularly the endangered southern bottlenose dolphin, while also raising awareness about the importance of maintaining clean waters around Jeju.
The event marked the initiation of the Hometown Love Donation program on the island, a unique system enabling citizens to contribute to local governments and, in return, receive tax benefits and locally-produced specialty items.
The Hometown Love Donation Act, enacted in 2021 as a national response to the challenges posed by rural decline due to a plunging birthrate and aging population, came into effect on January 1.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the initiative strives to bridge financial disparities between regions by encouraging voluntary donations from individuals. It also seeks to stimulate local economies by offering local specialty products in return for contributions.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the initiative strives to bridge financial disparities between regions by encouraging voluntary donations from individuals. It also seeks to stimulate local economies by offering local specialty products in return for contributions. (Image courtesy of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety)
Under this initiative, individuals can donate up to 5 million won annually to local governments outside their residential address. Donors receive a tax credit of 16.5 percent for the first 100,000 won and 30 percent for each subsequent 100,000 won, along with local specialties and tourism products amounting to 30 percent of their donation.
As of the end of September, Jeju’s Hometown Love Donation Program had successfully collected 669 million won, with 100 million won allocated to the flagship ‘Plogging with the Southern Bottlenose Dolphin’ project. Jeju proudly stands as the first local government in the country to undertake such an initiative.
On November 25, a beachcombing event was also held at Hyeopjae Beach, where participants combed the sand to remove glass and plastic debris. This initiative aimed to maintain the beach’s cleanliness, allowing people to walk barefoot.
A participant expressed gratitude for the Hometown Love Donation Program, stating it increased awareness about the vital use of funds to safeguard the seas around Jeju.
Earlier in the month, on November 4, professional divers collected marine debris off the coast of Yeongrak-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo, a region frequented by bottlenose dolphins. With the local population dwindling to around 120, the southern bottlenose dolphin faces threats to its survival due to habitat loss from coastal development and marine debris.
Ploving is a combination of the Swedish word “Plocka Upp,” which means to pick up ears of rice, and the English word ‘Diving’.Like plogging, which involves picking up trash while jogging, it is an exercise that involves free diving to collect trash in the ocean. (Image courtesy of Shinsegae)
Despite the positive intentions behind the Hometown Love Donation Program, fundraising has faced challenges, including a 5 million won annual donation limit, restrictions on donors, and residency constraints.
Jeju aimed to raise 4 billion won this year, a target that appears challenging based on current trends. Nevertheless, Jeju leads in donation amounts and numbers compared to other local governments.
In light of these challenges, Jeju Island’s decision to prioritize an event for the protection of the southern bottlenose dolphin holds significance. This choice reflects the shared concern and expectations not only among local supporters and donors but also on a national scale for Jeju’s pristine ocean environment.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
