Resumption of Suspended Seabed Sand Extraction in the West Sea EEZ

In September 2018, officials from the Badagoljae Association held a rally at Sejongno Small Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to resolve to protect the survival rights of the marine aggregate industry and marched toward the Blue House, urging the resumption of sand extraction. They claimed that their livelihoods were threatened due to the suspension of marine sand extraction in the exclusive economic zone of Namhae. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The previously halted extraction of marine sand within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) will resume.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 30th that all administrative procedures, including consultations on the occupation and use of public waters for aggregate extraction in the West Sea EEZ, have been completed and marine sand extraction will begin. The EEZ is a maritime zone extending 200 nautical miles from the coast, where the country establishing the EEZ exercises exclusive rights over all resources within the zone.

Since 2008, marine sand supply through aggregate extraction in the West and South Sea EEZs has been ongoing, but the aggregate extraction period expired in December 2018 for the West Sea EEZ and in August of this year for the South Sea EEZ. To respond to this suspension of marine sand supply, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport formed a public-private consultative body consisting of government officials and representatives of local fishermen, and in consultation with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries regarding marine use and spatial suitability, designated a new aggregate extraction site in the West Sea EEZ about 26 km west of Eocheongdo, Gunsan City, last August.

Recently, the Ministry finalized consultations with the Gunsan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office on the occupation and use of public waters, and plans to officially commence aggregate extraction in the West Sea EEZ. According to the current 'Act on the Management and Reclamation of Public Waters,' when extracting soil, sand, stones, etc., from the sea (public waters), consultation with the managing authority is required.

At the aggregate extraction site within the West Sea EEZ, 35.8 million cubic meters of marine aggregates are planned to be extracted over the next five years. This volume accounts for 3% of the annual national aggregate demand, which is expected to improve the supply conditions for aggregates at construction sites in the metropolitan area and contribute to stabilizing aggregate prices. Additionally, under the responsibility of the site manager, the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, the site will be operated with minimal environmental damage through the implementation of agreements with the aggregate industry and local fishermen.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will continue to promote marine sand supply based on the existing aggregate supply stabilization measures established in December 2017, while maximizing the collection of opinions from stakeholders such as the aggregate industry and local residents to ensure mutual growth.