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Busan Metropolitan City Selected for Fisheries Regulation Reform Pilot Project… Long-Standing Request from Gijang-gun Coastal Lift-Net Fishers Resolved

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it has been selected for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ “2025 Fisheries Regulation Reform Pilot Project,” thereby resolving the long-standing request to adjust the closed season for coastal lift-net (anchovy scoop-net boats*) fisheries.

This project is intended to respond to requests from fishers engaged in branch scoop-net fisheries, which were integrated into coastal lift-net fisheries**, seeking adjustments to the closed season. The issue is directly tied to fishers’ livelihoods and has been raised consistently since June 2022. The City has continued various policy efforts to address the complaints, including proposals to central government ministries, consultations with relevant agencies, and the commissioning of research services. As a result, on January 30, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries notified the City of the additional selection of the Gijang branch scoop-net self-management community for the pilot project.

• ●Anchovy scoop-net boat: A traditional coastal fishing vessel equipped with a scoop frame fitted with a net on the right side, using light to attract anchovies and lifting the net to catch them. The name derives from the installation of the scoop frame.
  ** Coastal lift-net fishery: A fishery method in which a net is spread in advance underwater and lifted when fish gather on it.
  *** Branch scoop-net fishery: A fishing method that uses fish-attracting lights to gather fish and then lifts a scoop net to capture them.

The selection of the Gijang-gun coastal lift-net closed season adjustment pilot project represents an achievement in refining regulations that had been uniformly applied, adapting them to regional realities, and securing recognition of their validity through scientific investigation and objective analysis.

In 1996, when branch scoop-net fisheries were consolidated into coastal lift-net fisheries, the anchovy closed season (April to June) was applied equally to branch scoop-net fisheries, which previously had no closed season. In the Busan area, coastal lift-net fisheries are traditional, small-scale operations using anchovy scoop-net boats of 2 tons or less with relatively low fishing intensity. However, as the main fishing season (May to June) overlapped with the closed season, the burden on fishers’ livelihoods has been continuously raised.

In response, the City carried out a detailed survey and assessment service on anchovy resources in Gijang-gun to secure scientific evidence. The survey confirmed that: ▲ anchovy resources in Gijang-gun remain in a healthy state without overfishing; ▲ the impact of branch scoop-net (coastal lift-net) fisheries on overall stock levels is minimal; and ▲ sustainable operations are possible under a Total Allowable Catch (TAC)-based management system. Based on these findings, the City applied for the regulation reform pilot project, and the scientific analysis and validity were recognized, leading to final selection.

As this pilot project will be operated on a temporary basis, securing data to demonstrate that fisheries resources are maintained at appropriate levels even after adjustment of the closed season will be essential for institutionalization. To this end, over the next two to three years, continued efforts in anchovy resource management centered on the Gijang branch scoop-net self-management community will be necessary, along with practical implementation measures such as adjusting catches within the TAC limits, conducting systemized sales, and utilizing a mobile catch reporting application.

If appropriate management data are secured during the pilot period, the City plans to pursue institutional establishment measures, including the enactment of the “Busan Metropolitan City Coastal Fisheries Resources Management Notice.”

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “This adjustment of the closed season reflects changes in the fishing environment, including climate change, and represents the outcome of long-standing efforts to incorporate the voices of those in the field in order to establish a sustainable foundation for fisheries.” He added, “We will continue striving for institutionalization through scientific surveys and data-based resource management.”