Dawn Opening of Busan Joint Fish Market 'Shutdown' Due to COVID-19 Spread... Concerns Over Prolonged Auction Disruptions

7 Members of Hangun Union and Their Families Confirmed Positive on the 9th... 1,500 People Must Unload and Sort Catch from Dawn

Busan Cooperative Fish Market, where mackerel auctions were actively conducted. The auctions face a temporary suspension due to the spread of COVID-19.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] COVID-19 has shut down Busan Cooperative Fish Market, Busan's representative fish market. The market that usually "opens at dawn" is at risk of closing for the time being.

The consignment sales at Busan Cooperative Fish Market, which distributes more than 30% of domestic coastal seafood, have been suspended due to the spread of COVID-19 infections, raising concerns about significant operational disruptions for the foreseeable future.

According to the Busan Port Workers' Union and Busan Cooperative Fish Market on the 9th, seven members of the fishery branch of the union and their families who worked at the market were confirmed positive for COVID-19 as of the previous day.

During peak season, about 1,500 people busily handle fish unloading, sorting, and arranging tasks at the fish market.

Typically, a large workforce is deployed from the night before to prepare for the early morning auction by sorting the catch.

Following the occurrence of a COVID-19 cluster infection, the fish market, in consultation with the Port Workers' Union, ordered a halt to operations on the night of the 8th, and the early morning auction on the 9th was canceled.

The fishery branch prepares for the auction with about 560 union members and approximately 1,000 temporary members, totaling around 1,500 people during peak season.

Many of these workers were identified as close contacts of confirmed cases and were instructed by Busan city health authorities to self-quarantine, causing the fish market auction to come to a halt.

On the 6th, ten fishing vessels carrying catches arrived at Busan Cooperative Fish Market, but seven of them left for other auction sites such as Dadaepo and Samcheonpo due to concerns over consignment sales disruptions.

On the 8th, sorting of catches at Busan Cooperative Fish Market was not properly conducted, leading to auction delays.

It is expected to be difficult to resume auctions at Busan Cooperative Fish Market until the self-quarantined workers return.

Replacing the large workforce that requires skill is challenging, and deploying workers who tested negative for sorting tasks risks further spread of infection, potentially leading to a large-scale regional outbreak.

A representative of the cooperative fish market said, "The fish market auction will inevitably face significant disruptions for the time being, and major difficulties are expected in fish market sales and seafood distribution," adding, "We will consult with Busan city health authorities to devise countermeasures."