Busan City Holds 'Busan Cooperative Fish Market First Sale Ceremony' Praying for Safety and Bountiful Catch

Mayor Oh Keo-don, "2020: A Historic Year of Change for Busan Joint Fish Market"

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters reporters Yoon Yoseop and Yang Heejeong] On the 2nd, Busan City announced that it held a first-sale ceremony at the Busan Cooperative Fish Market to pray for the safety of fishing vessels and a bountiful catch, commemorating the first auction of the new year of the Year of the Rat.

The event was held with the attendance of Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, Busan City Council Chairman Park In-young, Busan Superintendent of Education Kim Seok-jun, as well as local members of the National Assembly and heads of fisheries-related organizations. After the opening ceremony, a ritual praying for a good catch throughout the Year of the Rat was conducted following the first auction.

At the 'Busan Cooperative Fish Market First Sale Ceremony' held on the 2nd at the Busan Cooperative Fish Market, Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don is performing a ritual to pray for a bountiful catch in the Year of the Rat. (Photo by Busan City)

The attendees, starting with the first-sale ceremony, united in wishing that Busan’s fisheries industry would overcome the slump and soar with splendid wings.

Last year, the coastal fisheries industry and related sectors faced difficulties due to a sharp decline in fishery resources, disruptions in fishing caused by abnormal temperatures, and delays in Korea-Japan fisheries negotiations, resulting in the cooperative fish market’s auction volume plummeting to about 65% compared to the previous year.

Mayor Oh encouraged the hard work of fisheries workers who have strived for the development of Busan’s fisheries industry despite difficult conditions. He also announced continuous support plans to strengthen the competitiveness of the fisheries industry this year, including voluntary fishing moratoriums for large purse seine fisheries and reduction projects for coastal fishing vessels.

Mayor Oh particularly emphasized, “This year marks the beginning of a historic change for the Busan Cooperative Fish Market,” adding, “We will invest 120 billion KRW in public ownership and about 170 billion KRW in modernization to create better conditions.”

He further urged, “Busan’s fisheries industry has a solid foundation. To strengthen the competitiveness of Busan’s fisheries and leap into a high value-added industry, let us unite the local fisheries sector, universities, and marine and fisheries research institutions.”

Busan City plans this year to establish the Busan Port Fisheries Industry Promotion Institute (tentative name), develop a smart aquaculture cluster project, and create a Smart Fisheries Tech & Biz Town.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.