A Tipping Point Beneath the Waves: Advancing Sustainable Fishing in Korea’s Coastal Waters

As the sun rises over Korea’s eastern seaboard, fishing vessels slip into the East Sea in a centuries-old rhythm that sustains communities and culture. Yet this daily act of tradition conceals a looming crisis. Korea’s marine ecosystems, once abundant, are rapidly declining due to overfishing, climate pressures, and unsustainable practices. The consequences are not confined to underwater environments; they extend to coastal economies, food security, and cultural heritage. This paper argues that transitioning to sustainable fishing in Korea is not only an ecological imperative but also a socioeconomic necessity. By adopting science-based catch limits, implementing eco-friendly gear, expanding marine protected areas (MPAs), and engaging fishing communities, Korea can protect its marine biodiversity while preserving its fishing heritage.

The depletion of marine life in Korean waters is no longer a distant concern. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), only 62.3% of global marine fish stocks were at biologically sustainable levels in 2021, a stark drop from 90% in 1974 (FAO, SOFIA 2022). Korea mirrors this downward trend. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries reported in its 2023 annual briefing that over 33% of Korea’s key commercial fish species, including mackerel, cod, and squid, are now overexploited (MOF, “2023 Fisheries Statistics”). In the East Sea, cod catches alone have declined by over 60% since 2010, significantly impacting local fisheries (Korea Maritime Institute 2024).

These figures do not represent numbers alone. They reflect livelihoods lost and communities in crisis. A 2024 Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) survey reported that 70% of small-scale fishers across Jeju, Gangwon, and South Gyeongsang provinces experienced income reductions within the past five years. Many fishers cited fewer juvenile fish and longer travel times to productive fishing grounds as major challenges (KMI 2024, pp. 12–14).

Compounding the situation, climate change is shifting species distribution. Studies from the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) show that rising sea surface temperatures in the Korea Strait and East China Sea have pushed species like anchovy and squid into deeper or northern waters, disrupting historical spawning cycles (Lee and Kim 2022, pp. 34–37). In Jeju, traditional yellowtail and cuttlefish fisheries are being forced to adapt to these migration changes, with limited support mechanisms in place.

To combat such pressures, Korea has increasingly embraced sustainable fishing—a model defined by the FAO as meeting current needs without compromising future generational capacity (FAO, “Code of Conduct” 2022). Central to this model is the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) system. Korea’s TAC policy, introduced in 1999 and expanded significantly after 2018, currently applies to over 15 species including hairtail and mackerel (MOF, “Fisheries Policy White Paper” 2022). Annual limits are set through detailed stock assessments by NIFS marine biologists who analyze reproductive rates and population dynamics (NIFS 2022, pp. 42–44).

Technology has also provided innovative solutions. In 2022, NIFS introduced redesigned gillnets and trawl modifications that significantly reduce bycatch. Field trials in the Yellow Sea revealed a 32% decrease in unintentional catch, including undersized species and endangered fish, without harming commercial yields (Park et al. 2022). Adoption of such gear remains uneven, however, particularly among older or low-income fishing operations.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) offer another ecological buffer. Korea currently maintains 29 designated MPAs, including Dadohaehaesang National Park and Hallyeohaesang Sea Park. These zones limit or prohibit fishing to allow ecosystems to recover. Monitoring by the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) reported that fish biomass in Dadohaehaesang increased by over 40% between 2012 and 2022 (KOEM 2023, pp. 58–59). Still, enforcement and ecological continuity remain concerns, especially in overlapping jurisdictions.

A key component of successful sustainability involves local governance. In Jeju, a co-management system enables collaboration between fishers, scientists, and government officials to jointly manage abalone and sea cucumber populations. This participatory model, launched in 2019, has improved compliance, reduced illegal harvesting, and built trust between stakeholders (Jeju Provincial Government 2023, pp. 21–23).

Despite these advances, serious obstacles remain. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing undermines recovery efforts. In 2022 alone, over 250 IUU incidents were recorded in Korean waters, primarily involving foreign fleets from China and North Korea (MOF, “IUU Report” 2023). Additionally, economic concerns cause many fishers to resist TAC limits and equipment changes. Industrial trawlers, focused on short-term profits, continue to lobby against regulation, threatening long-term sustainability (Choi and Song 2021).

To address these challenges, stronger incentives and education are needed. Government subsidies for eco-friendly gear, access to sustainability certification (such as Marine Stewardship Council labels), and market-based benefits can encourage compliance. Research shows that MSC-certified seafood products in East Asia fetch up to 20% higher prices in international markets, making environmental responsibility financially viable (MSC 2022, pp. 11–12). Public education, youth engagement programs, and localized policy design can also foster cultural shifts toward ocean stewardship.

In conclusion, Korea’s coastal waters stand at a critical juncture. The interaction of ecological degradation, economic instability, and climate vulnerability requires urgent, science-driven reform. Sustainable fishing, grounded in local participation, technology, and marine conservation, offers a clear pathway forward. If Korea commits to scaling these efforts, it can restore the health of its oceans and secure the futures of those who depend on them.

Citations

Choi, Min-Seok, and Yeon-Jin Song. “Fisheries Policy Resistance and Industrial Lobbying in Korea.” Journal of Environmental Policy Studies, vol. 15, no. 2, 2021, pp. 88–104.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (SOFIA). FAO, 2022.

Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. FAO, updated 2022, www.fao.org/fishery/code.

Jeju Provincial Government. Community-Based Marine Resource Co-Management in Jeju: 2023 Annual Report. Environmental and Fisheries Division, 2023.

Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM). Monitoring Report on Marine Protected Areas in Korea. KOEM, 2023.

Korea Maritime Institute (KMI). Small-Scale Fisheries Economic Survey 2024. Korea Maritime Institute, 2024.

Lee, Jinwoo, and Hyun-Kyung Kim. “Climate-Induced Shifts in Marine Fish Migration Patterns in Korean Waters.” Korean Journal of Oceanography, vol. 27, no. 3, 2022, pp. 31–40.

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Global Market Report 2022: Economic Impacts of Certification. MSC, 2022.

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF). 2023 Fisheries Statistics Yearbook. MOF, 2023.

White Paper on Korean Fisheries Policy Reform. Fisheries Resources Bureau, MOF, 2022.

Annual Report on IUU Fishing Violations in Korean EEZ. MOF, 2023.

National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS). Annual Assessment of Commercial Fish Stocks and Gear Innovation Trials. NIFS, 2022.

Park, Seung-Ho, et al. “Evaluation of Selective Fishing Gear in the Yellow Sea.” NIFS Research Bulletin, vol. 66, 2022, pp. 13–25.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Korea. Biodiversity in Korea’s Marine Protected Areas: Progress and Challenges. WWF Korea, 2023.