Fishing Gear Management Discussion

The abandoned fishing gear contributed to more than half of Korea’s marine debris. Realizing the issue, the Democratic Party of Korea held a forum to discuss the main contents of the current fishing gear management policy and the improvement tasks to solve the problem. There was a need for continuous efforts to lead fishermen to recognize the problem and participate in it. Since there were practical difficulties in addressing overuse issue, it was suggested that the management should be strengthened while creating a way for fishermen to participate. In particular, it was proposed to ensure clean-up of the fishing grounds and rest time through the total recovery of fishing gear during the subject-species taboo period, and to realize systematic management. Since it took a long time to improve the management of abandoned fishing gear and it was difficult to persuade stakeholders, it was suggested that it is necessary to lead the fishermen to participate in the improved policy based on the consensus of the fishermen on the seriousness of the problem. The current amendment to the Fisheries Act submitted to the National Assembly might not solve all the problems of abandoned fishing gear, but it was essential because it could be a starting point for improving the domestic fishing gear management system.

Our Sea of East Asia Network (OSEAN) (n. d.), 위성곤의원·환경운동연합 ‘어구 관리 토론회’ 참석 (Participated in ‘Fishing Gear Management Discussion). https://www.osean.net/bdlist/activity.php?ptype=view&idx=7268&page=3&code=activity (accessed 19 September 2022).

Fishing Gear Management Discussion

The abandoned fishing gear contributed to more than half of Korea’s marine debris. Realizing the issue, the Democratic Party of Korea held a forum to discuss the main contents of the current fishing gear management policy and the improvement tasks to solve the problem. There was a need for continuous efforts to lead fishermen to recognize the problem and participate in it. Since there were practical difficulties in addressing overuse issue, it was suggested that the management should be strengthened while creating a way for fishermen to participate. In particular, it was proposed to ensure clean-up of the fishing grounds and rest time through the total recovery of fishing gear during the subject-species taboo period, and to realize systematic management. Since it took a long time to improve the management of abandoned fishing gear and it was difficult to persuade stakeholders, it was suggested that it is necessary to lead the fishermen to participate in the improved policy based on the consensus of the fishermen on the seriousness of the problem. The current amendment to the Fisheries Act submitted to the National Assembly might not solve all the problems of abandoned fishing gear, but it was essential because it could be a starting point for improving the domestic fishing gear management system.

Our Sea of East Asia Network (OSEAN) (n. d.), 위성곤의원·환경운동연합 ‘어구 관리 토론회’ 참석 (Participated in ‘Fishing Gear Management Discussion). https://www.osean.net/bdlist/activity.php?ptype=view&idx=7268&page=3&code=activity (accessed 19 September 2022).