The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is set to transition its management system for coastal fisheries to a data-driven approach, focusing on the amount of catch to prevent illegal and overfishing practices and to scientifically manage fishery resources.
On October 8, the ministry presented its "Data-Driven Coastal Fisheries Management Innovation and Regulatory Rationalization Plan" during the 15th National Policy Coordination Meeting.
This innovation plan includes measures to rationalize existing regulations on fishing gear and methods, which were also discussed in the Regulatory Rationalization Committee's Growth Subcommittee.
In June, the ministry enacted the "Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Development Act," establishing a legal framework to ensure that only legally caught fish can be distributed and imported, mandating reporting of catch locations and quantities by coastal fishing vessels.
In line with the law's implementation in June 2027, the ministry plans to enhance the reliability of catch data, expand the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) currently applied to 19 species to all species by 2031, and reduce regulations on approximately 1,500 types of fishing gear and methods by half.
The ministry aims to specify the scope and methods of information that fishers must report in the subordinate regulations of the Coastal Fisheries Development Act, diversifying reporting methods, including mobile app submissions, to lessen the burden on fishers.
Additionally, various means, including artificial intelligence (AI) video analysis and private monitoring agents, will be utilized to improve the accuracy of data through on-site verification. The collected information on operations, sales, and distribution will be managed through an integrated coastal fisheries management system, which will be used for issuing catch confirmation certificates and TAC allocations.
Furthermore, the ministry plans to reduce the number of coastal fishing vessels by about 36% by 2031 to increase production per vessel and total production, while supporting the replacement of aging vessels through government-funded initiatives.
Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo stated, "This innovation plan aims to realize a sustainable and internationally recognized fishery based on accurate data. We will ensure that the coastal fisheries innovation plan operates smoothly in the field through sufficient communication with stakeholders."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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