Marine Fisheries Production in Coastal Waters in the First Half of This Year 369,000 Tons... 4.6% Decrease Compared to Last Year

Annual First Half Coastal Fisheries Production Volume (Unit: t)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Coastal fishery production in the first half of this year decreased by 4.6% compared to the previous year.

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on the 6th, coastal fishery production in the first half of 2020 totaled 369,000 tons, down 4.6% from 387,000 tons in the same period last year.

By major species, cutlassfish production increased by 94.2% to 20,000 tons, and horse mackerel species increased by 76.9% to 14,000 tons. On the other hand, anchovy, squid, mackerel, herring, yellow croaker, blue crab, red snow crab, and flatfish species maintained production levels similar to the previous year, while anglerfish (-40.4%) and Spanish mackerel (-23.5%) saw a decline in production.

Cutlassfish fishing season extended until March due to the influence of high coastal water temperatures during winter (January to March). Normally, the fishing season enters a cold period after January, but this year, production levels remained at the mature fish stage until March. Additionally, the warm marine environment (0~1℃ increase) in the East China Sea during spring (May to June) continued, leading to active northward migration of fish schools, increasing the number of fish schools gathering around the East China Sea (near Jeju) and the southern Yellow Sea.

Horse mackerel species are evaluated to be in improving resource condition recently, showing favorable fishing conditions around Jeju in winter and along the coasts of Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk in spring.

Conversely, anglerfish production was sluggish due to reduced fishing activities caused by decreased seafood consumption from January to April. Furthermore, from May to June, the number of fish schools gathering near the coast for spawning decreased due to water temperatures 1~3℃ higher than normal in the Gyeongbuk coastal area, resulting in reduced production. Spanish mackerel production was poor as the main fishery, large-scale purse seine fishery, primarily targeted fish schools with relatively high densities of mackerel and horse mackerel species.

The total value of coastal fishery production in the first half of the year was recorded at 1.7873 trillion won, a 3.6% increase from 1.7248 trillion won the previous year. By species, cutlassfish, horse mackerel species, and mackerel increased by 86.1%, 70.3%, and 35.5%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Anchovy, squid, yellow croaker, red snow crab, blue crab, flatfish species, and anglerfish maintained levels similar to the previous year. Meanwhile, herring, gizzard shad, and Spanish mackerel decreased by 30.7%, 28.2%, and 22.6%, respectively, compared to the previous year.