Uljin and Ulleung Dolmiyeok Harvesting Method Designated as 'National Important Fisheries Heritage'

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 8th that the traditional fishing method of harvesting Dolmiyeok seaweed using 'Dolmiyeok Ttebae (raft) harvesting fishery' in the Uljin and Ulleung areas has been designated as the 9th National Important Fishery Heritage.

Fishermen in this region move to the Miyeokbawi (seaweed rock) colonies every year from the 3rd to 5th lunar months on calm days, using ttebae rafts made by weaving logs such as paulownia wood, to harvest and transport seaweed. Two people form a team: one cuts the seaweed with a long sickle, while the other rows the raft to facilitate the sickle work and harvest the seaweed. The harvested Dolmiyeok seaweed is dried, and the fishing village association manages the seaweed quality through Miyeokbawi cleaning from October to November to ensure good quality seaweed grows.

The Dolmiyeok seaweed produced here is of high quality and was presented to the royal court during the Joseon Dynasty, with records found in the "Annals of the Joseon Dynasty" and "Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam".

A Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries official explained, "It is an environmentally friendly traditional natural Dolmiyeok harvesting method," adding, "It received high evaluations overall in terms of historic value as a cultural asset, ecosystem protection, and community participation."

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been designating National Important Fishery Heritage sites since 2015 to preserve tangible and intangible fishery resources that fishermen have long maintained. A total of eight fishery heritages, including Jeju Haenyeo fishery, Boseong Beolbae fishery, and Namhae Jukbangnyeom fishery, have been designated as National Important Fishery Heritage.