Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Announces '2nd Basic Plan for Fisheries and Fishing Village Development'
Targets Expansion of Seafood Industry to 13.8 Trillion KRW and Fishing Household Income to 60 Million KRW
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The government has set a goal to raise the seafood self-sufficiency rate to 79% by 2025 and achieve $3 billion in seafood exports. In addition, plans were announced to increase seafood production to 4.25 million tons and expand the seafood food industry scale to 14 trillion won.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the "2nd Basic Plan for Fisheries and Fishing Village Development" on the 2nd, which includes the following: ▲ Reorganizing into a sustainable fisheries production and management system ▲ Supplying seafood food that realizes consumer-centered values ▲ Creating vibrant workplaces and happy living spaces ▲ Strengthening the global status of the fisheries industry ▲ Transitioning to a future growth industry, encompassing five major goals to be pursued over the next five years (2021?2025).
First, the plan is to expand the seafood self-sufficiency rate from 72% in 2019 to 79% by 2025. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries had announced in the 1st Basic Plan for Fisheries and Fishing Village Development in 2016 that it would raise the seafood self-sufficiency rate to 85.3%, but it fell short of the original target.
To this end, self-sufficiency management will be promoted focusing on popular fish species, and a constant supply and demand management system will be operated for major popular fish species such as hairtail and mackerel. A response system for seafood food hazard factors will be established, and the list of items subject to origin labeling will be readjusted to strengthen hygiene and safety management. A fresh distribution hub will be created to establish a foundation for fresh seafood distribution.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries also plans to increase seafood production from 3.79 million tons in 2020 to 4.25 million tons in 2025, and expand seafood exports from $2.32 billion to $3 billion during the same period. The seafood food industry scale will grow from 11.3 trillion won in 2019 to 13.8 trillion won in 2025. In addition, fishing household income will be increased to 60 million won, and efforts will be made to foster new industries, expand seafood company startups and investments, and revitalize seafood leisure activities, aiming to create a fisheries added value of 5.1 trillion won.
Moon Seong-hyeok, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, "This 2nd Basic Plan will be a cornerstone for sustainable fisheries development and vibrant fishing villages over the next five years," and added, "We will cooperate with each ministry and local governments to achieve the targeted outcomes."
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