Shipowners’ Association: "Closed Season Should Be Adjusted"
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries: "Possible Only After Relevant Research"
The April catch of flower crabs in the fishing grounds near Yeonpyeong Island, Incheon, was found to be only one-tenth of the amount recorded during the same period last year, due to the effects of low water temperatures.
On May 8, Yonhap News reported, citing Incheon’s Ongjin County and other sources, that last month’s flower crab catch in the Yeonpyeong fishing grounds was 7,807 kilograms, a sharp decrease of 89.5% compared to 74,154 kilograms in the same month last year. This is the first time in five years, since 2020 (6,119 kilograms), that the catch for the first month of the spring fishing season (April to June) has fallen below 10,000 kilograms.
The West Sea Fisheries Research Institute of the National Institute of Fisheries Science identified low water temperatures as the main reason for the sharp decline in flower crab catches. The water temperature in the Yeonpyeong fishing grounds last month ranged from 8 to 11.9 degrees Celsius, which is generally about one degree lower than the same period last year (8.6 to 12.6 degrees Celsius). The research institute analyzed that, as a result, flower crabs that spent the winter in the open sea of the West Sea may not have been able to migrate in time.
Lee Sujeong, a researcher at the West Sea Fisheries Research Institute of the National Institute of Fisheries Science, stated, "Flower crabs usually finish overwintering by March and move to the coastal waters of the West Sea in April, but it is presumed that the migration was delayed due to low water temperatures." She added, "The significant decrease in the autumn fishing season catch last year and the low rainfall also appear to have affected the catch volume."
Due to the decrease in catch, fishermen’s income from catches also dropped sharply. The catch revenue, which was 1.13 billion won in April last year, decreased by 78.6% to 240 million won in April this year. This is the lowest level since 2020.
Kim Jeonghee, president of the Yeonpyeong Island Shipowners’ Association, said, "Due to low water temperatures, we began flower crab fishing operations on April 20," and argued, "Since the season started late, the closed season should be adjusted to extend the fishing period."
On the other hand, an official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "We are not considering adjusting the closed season for the Yeonpyeong fishing grounds," and added, "Relevant research or investigations must be conducted first, and other areas of the West Sea must also be taken into account."
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