Tongyeong Sea Ranch, Extension of Fisheries Resource Management Area Until 2024

Prohibition of Fishing Activities Such as Trap Nets and Gillnets, and Onboard Fishing on Fishing Vessels

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Gyeongsangnam-do announced on the 22nd that it will extend the management period of the "Tongyeong Sea Ranch Fisheries Resource Management Waters" in the Sanyang-eup area of Tongyeong City, whose validity period is expiring, for three years until April 23, 2024.

With the extension of the validity period, only certain fishing activities for the protection of fisheries resources, such as licensed fishing, seaweed farm development, designated fishing, and coastal complex fishing, will be allowed in the Tongyeong Sea Ranch until 2024.

In particular, fishing methods with high catch intensity such as gillnet and trap fishing, pollution-causing activities, and acts that adversely affect the conservation and management of fisheries resources are prohibited to protect the managed species including rockfish, spotted rockfish, black porgy, and red seabream.

The Tongyeong Sea Ranch is the nation's first pilot sea ranch, where from 1998 to 2007, with a budget of 24 billion KRW, 4,218 artificial reefs were deployed over a 2,000-hectare sea area to create habitats and spawning grounds for marine life.

Since then, to continuously protect and manage fisheries resources and expand fish seed release projects, the Tongyeong Sea Ranch waters were designated as fisheries resource management waters in 2005 and have been efficiently managed and operated to this day.

Lee In-seok, Director of Fisheries Resources Division of Gyeongnam Province, stated, "The Tongyeong Sea Ranch, as the nation's first pilot sea ranch, has become the foundation of a successful domestic sea ranch model through efficient management since its completion," and added, "We will strive to increase the direct income of local fishermen through continuous marine environment management and fisheries resource creation."