[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-seon] Among the 10 haenyeo (female divers) active on the east coast of Gyeongbuk, 7 were found to have an annual income of less than 10 million KRW.
On the 30th, Gyeongbuk Province announced, "A recent survey of 952 haenyeo active in Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongdeok, Uljin, and Ulleung on the east coast of Gyeongbuk showed that 36.9% of them earn less than 5 million KRW annually, 35.8% earn between 5 million KRW and less than 10 million KRW, and 16% earn between 10 million KRW and less than 15 million KRW."
Haenyeo in the Gyeongbuk region play a key role as major producers in coastal fisheries and protectors of the marine ecosystem, but they are disappearing due to aging and income decline.
Gyeongbuk Province is promoting preservation and support policies for haenyeo, who have socio-economic and environmental value, and to support this, it developed region-specific statistics last year and plans to compile them as national statistics on a three-year cycle for the first time in the country.
Among the seafood harvested by haenyeo, the species with the highest sales amounts were seaweed (miyeok) at 75.7%, sea urchin at 21.3%, abalone at 1.5%, and sea cucumber at 0.7%.
When asked how many more years they plan to continue working, 32.8% responded 5 to less than 10 years, 27.0% responded 1 to less than 5 years, and 26.5% responded 10 to less than 15 years.
Choi Soon-gyu, head of the Big Data Division at Gyeongbuk Province, said, "This first-ever survey on diving fisheries has established statistical data to implement customized policies. We will continue to actively develop region-specific statistics to support Gyeongbuk Province in systematically carrying out policies."
Among the 952 haenyeo surveyed in Gyeongbuk, 85.0% (809) were female and 15.0% (143) were male. By age group, those aged 70-79 accounted for the largest proportion at 43.9%, followed by 60-69 at 37.0%, and 80 and above at 9.2%.
Regarding work experience, 64.1% had more than 40 years, 15.7% had less than 30 years, and 6.4% had between 20 and less than 30 years.
The average total number of working days per month for haenyeo is about 7.1 days, and diving fishery workers belonging to fishing villages reportedly work about 3.5 hours per day on average.
Regarding major illnesses suffered by haenyeo, musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis accounted for 75.0%, ear pain 41.5%, dizziness and vertigo 34.7%, and hypertension 9.7%. The main causes of these illnesses were repetitive movements at 59.3%, diving at 54.8%, and uncomfortable postures at 44.4%.
When asked what kind of support they want in the future, 69.1% responded "support for purchasing diving gear such as diving suits," 49.2% "retirement allowances for diving fishery workers," 41.6% "support for medical expenses and health insurance," and 12.1% "installation of welfare facilities for diving fishery workers."
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