Haenam-gun Buys Up Salvaged Waste During Fishing Operations

Signed Consignment Contract with Suhyup, Effective from March

Marine debris is being collected at Eoran Port in Songji, Haenam County. (Photo by Haenam County)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Hyun] Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 3rd that it will purchase marine debris collected by fishermen during fishing activities.

Haenam County Fisheries Cooperative has signed a service consignment contract and will invest a total project cost of 50 million KRW in 2021 to purchase debris collected during fishing starting from March.

The purchase targets fishing vessels with fishing permits or fishing reports (including vessels permitted or reported for inland water fishing in areas where rivers meet the sea) that generate or collect discarded fishing gear, discarded ropes, discarded vinyl, trap gear, discarded Styrofoam, and other marine waste during fishing at sea.

However, seafood and sludge (mud) collected during fishing, household and food waste generated on fishing vessels, wire ropes, and engine repair parts are excluded.

Purchase prices are 150 KRW per nearshore eel trap, 250 KRW per coastal trap, and for discarded fishing gear and ropes, 4,000 KRW per 40-liter sack, 10,000 KRW per 100-liter sack, and 20,000 KRW per 200-liter sack. Procedures such as cross-checking the vessel entry and exit log with the Fisheries Cooperative’s vessel entry and exit confirmation documents must also be completed.

A Haenam-gun official said, “We hope this initiative encourages fishermen to voluntarily participate in collecting and disposing of marine debris collected during fishing, making the sea, their living environment, cleaner and providing an opportunity to increase catch volumes.”