Auction Volume Up 8.5 Times Year-on-Year
Production Area Shifts from Gangwon and Ulleung to Taean Waters
East China Sea Warm Currents and Lower Sea Temperatures as Key Factors
In June, fishermen at Jumunjin Port fish market in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, were sorting squid caught by jigging boats and packing them into boxes. At that time, there was a squid boom in Gangneung, but recently, a large number of squid have been caught in Taean. Yonhap News
A bumper squid catch is underway off the coast of Taean, South Chungcheong Province. Unlike last year, when the waters around Ulleungdo were the main production area, this year Taean has recorded the highest squid auction volumes nationwide, due to the inflow of warm currents from the East China Sea and a drop in sea temperatures during the summer.
According to Taean County and the Seosan Fisheries Cooperative on August 5, a total of 930 tons of squid were auctioned last month at Sinjin Port in Geunheung-myeon, including 861 tons of refrigerated fresh squid (auction price: 9.9 billion won) and 69 tons of live squid (1.9 billion won). Compared to July last year, when 105 tons of fresh squid (1.9 billion won) and 3.9 tons of live squid (120 million won), totaling 108.9 tons, were auctioned, this represents an 8.5-fold increase.
Taean Thrives While Gangwon and Ulleung Suffer... The Changing Landscape of Squid Production Areas
On this day, 10,000 boxes were traded at the Sinjin Port auction house, with a box of 20 squid fetching up to 51,000 won (average 46,000 won) at auction.
As catches have increased, retail prices have also dropped compared to last year. Last year, a box of 20 to 25 squid sold for 70,000 to 80,000 won, but this year, prices have fallen by more than 10,000 won, ranging between 55,000 and 65,000 won per box.
With the summer vacation season in full swing, an influx of tourists seeking fresh squid has revitalized the local economy. Squid caught off Taean is also very popular at seafood markets in Seoul and other metropolitan areas.
A fisheries cooperative official said, "Last year, the sea temperature was extremely high, but this year it has dropped somewhat. The squid schools are also forming closer to shore than usual this year, making fishing operations much more efficient."
Recent trends in the price per kg and arrival volume of squid at Noryangjin Fish Market. Noryangjin Fish Market
In contrast, squid have virtually disappeared from the east coast of Gangwon Province. According to Gangwon Province, the squid catch for the week of July 16 to 22 amounted to only 29 tons. The breakdown was 4 tons in Gangneung, 4 tons in Donghae, 15 tons in Sokcho, 2 tons in Samcheok, 3 tons in Goseong, and 1 ton in Yangyang, which is far too little to meet demand during the peak season.
The reduced catch has also driven up prices. As of the end of last month, the highest price for a bundle of 20 squid was 291,000 won. Considering that seaside sashimi restaurants sell squid mulhoe for between 25,000 and 32,000 won, it is difficult even to cover ingredient costs.
Squid Shortages Make Things Tough... Unfriendly Service Controversy Erupts at Sokcho's Squid Stalls
An employee at a squid stall restaurant in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, urging a solo customer to "eat quickly." YouTube capture
Amid these circumstances, concerns are growing among industry insiders as a controversy over unfriendly service has arisen at a restaurant in Sokcho's famous 'Squid Stall' street.
On August 7, a video posted on a YouTube channel in June belatedly went viral on several online communities and social networking services (SNS). The video shows YouTuber A being mistreated by the owner while visiting a squid stall restaurant.
At the time, YouTuber A entered the restaurant, took a seat at an outdoor table with a sea view, and ordered two plates of raw squid, one whole steamed squid, and a bottle of soju. However, shortly after the food was served, the staff repeatedly asked the customer to move seats and gave disapproving looks.
About nine minutes after the raw squid was served, a staff member said, "Hey miss, can't you eat inside instead of out here?" Then, after the steamed squid was served, they continued with remarks like, "Are you going to eat there?" and "Eat quickly." Since there were plenty of empty seats inside at the time, A was left feeling bewildered.
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