Seaweed is being harvested at a laver farm (KIM farm) in Namdang Port, Hongseong County, South Chungcheong Province. (Photo courtesy of Hongseong County)
SEOUL, Jan. 6 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea will allow foreign aquaculture technicians to work across a broader range of farmed species starting this year, as the government moves to ease chronic labor shortages in the country’s aging fisheries sector.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Justice said Monday that the scope of foreign technician employment will be expanded from a single species — sea cucumbers — to 16 aquaculture varieties, including fish, shellfish, crustaceans, seaweed and other invertebrates.
The change comes as aquaculture operators struggle to secure skilled workers amid rapid aging in coastal communities and weak interest from younger Koreans. Farms have reported persistent difficulty hiring technicians capable of managing fry, seed production, intermediate cultivation and the rearing of mature stock.
Following interministerial consultations, the government approved the issuance of E-7-8 skilled worker visas for foreign aquaculture technicians covering the 16 species. A pilot program began on Jan. 2 and will run for two years, allowing roughly 200 foreign technicians annually — up to two per company — to work in the designated fields.
Officials said the results of the trial will be closely monitored, with the possibility of expanding eligibility to additional species if the program proves effective.
“The goal is to stabilize the aquaculture industry by closely tracking the pilot program and maintaining active communication with the field,” said Kim Sung-bum, acting minister of oceans and fisheries. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said the government would continue refining visa policies to reflect on-the-ground labor needs.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
