Last Year, 657 Coastal Fishing Vessels Decreased

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Registered Fishing Vessel Statistics as of 2019

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The number of coastal fishing vessels last year decreased by 657 compared to the previous year.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the registered fishing vessel statistics on the 30th after investigating the status of domestically registered fishing vessels as of the end of 2019 (by fishery type, business type, and province/city).

According to the registered fishing vessel statistics, the total number of registered fishing vessels in 2019 was 65,835, a decrease of 71 vessels compared to the previous year. Coastal fishing vessels decreased by 657 vessels (from 41,119 vessels to 40,462 vessels) due to the fishing vessel reduction project and deregistration of fishing vessels.

By fishery type, coastal fishery vessels accounted for the largest proportion with 37,785 vessels (57.4%). This was followed by aquaculture vessels (19,347 vessels), inland water vessels (3,067 vessels), and distant-water vessels (2,677 vessels). The number of registered vessels aged 21 years or older increased from 15,511 vessels (23.5%) to 17,771 vessels (27%). In terms of vessel size, vessels under 2 tons decreased by 797 vessels (from 35,317 vessels to 34,520 vessels), while vessels 2 tons or larger increased by 726 vessels (from 30,589 vessels to 31,315 vessels). This is analyzed to be due to the systematic adjustment including tonnage increase and deregistration of small vessels under 2 tons.

Regarding vessel material, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) vessels still account for the majority with 63,211 vessels (96%), but the proportion of steel-hulled vessels, which use steel as the main structural material in distant-water vessels, is gradually increasing (from 1.6% to 2%).

Choi Yong-seok, Director of Fisheries Resource Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "It is a desirable trend that vessels are becoming larger in scale and the proportion of steel-hulled vessels, which are relatively safer against fires and fishing vessel accidents, is increasing. However, since the aging of fishing vessels is intensifying, we will actively promote projects to improve this, prevent marine accidents, and strengthen the safety and welfare of fishermen."

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