Rising sea temperatures and deteriorating fishing conditions are driving a wave of closures among South Korea’s offshore fishing vessels. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
BUSAN, Oct. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – Rising sea temperatures and deteriorating fishing conditions are driving a wave of closures among South Korea’s offshore fishing vessels, with more than half of the fleet considering decommissioning.
The National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives for Large Trawlers announced on October 7 that 74 out of 136 vessels in its fleet have expressed interest in participating in a government-led decommissioning program next year. This marks a stark increase from just two years ago when only six vessels sought decommissioning, and 15 vessels last year.
The federation, which represents three types of large trawling operations — single-boat trawlers, pair trawlers, and large otter trawlers — primarily targets popular species such as squid, hairtail, Spanish mackerel, and yellow croaker.
The surge in decommissioning requests stems from plummeting productivity due to worsening fishing conditions. Key species like squid and Spanish mackerel are migrating northward in search of cooler waters, a trend attributed to rising sea temperatures.
However, South Korea’s Fisheries Act rigidly defines fishing zones for each type of operation, preventing vessels from following the shifting fish populations. This inflexibility has led to steadily declining catches.
The industry has been further battered by soaring fuel prices in the wake of the Ukraine war and rising labor costs, creating a perfect storm of economic challenges for fishing operators.
Industry representatives are calling for multi-faceted support measures, including fuel subsidies and more flexible fishing zone regulations, to stave off a potential collapse of the sector.
An official from the federation highlighted the gravity of the situation: “Fish populations are heavily influenced by water temperatures. With persistent high temperatures and tropical depressions, fishing conditions are becoming increasingly unstable.”
He criticized the outdated nature of the Fisheries Act, which was enacted decades ago and fails to account for current environmental realities.
“While there’s support available for aquaculture operations affected by high water temperatures, those of us catching fish in the open sea are left without assistance,” the official added. He emphasized the urgent need for measures such as adjusting fishing seasons and zones, noting that many fishing companies are on the brink of bankruptcy.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
