[2020 National Audit] Eo Gi-gu "430 Billion Won Invested Over 13 Years in Eco-friendly Fishing Gear Distribution, but Usage Rate Has Decreased"

Budget of 42.965 billion KRW invested over 13 years since 2007 in supply projects
Number of fishing vessels using equipment decreased from 435 in 2015 to 336 in 2019
"Research and development needed to secure durability and price competitiveness"

Eo Gi-gu Assemblyman

[Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] It has been revealed that the distribution project of biodegradable eco-friendly fishing gear is being neglected by fishermen. Despite hundreds of billions of won being invested so far, the usage rate has rather declined.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Assemblyman Eo Gi-gu of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Fisheries Committee, the number of fishing vessels operating with biodegradable eco-friendly fishing gear supplied with a budget of 42.965 billion KRW over 13 years since 2007 decreased by 99 vessels from 435 in 2015 to 336 in 2019.

By type of fishing gear, the supply rates sharply declined for snow crab traps (65.9% → 45.9%), red snow crab traps (38.2% → 7.7%), and yellow croaker traps (13.3% → 5.8%). Supply rates for octopus pots (1.3%) and fat greenling traps (0.8%) were very minimal.

Assemblyman Eo said, "The reasons for the poor performance of this biodegradable fishing gear supply project include relatively high prices compared to short usage periods, fishermen's lack of trust in the gear's performance, and a high self-payment rate (90% for nylon gear as of 2019)." He added, "Although the self-payment rate was improved to 60% from 2020, issues of price and durability need to be resolved."

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