"Island Residents to Receive 750,000 KRW Annual Direct Payment"... Fisheries Public Interest Direct Payment System to Launch Next Month

Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Fisheries Direct Payment Act Passed at the Cabinet Meeting

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The Fisheries Public Interest Direct Payment System, aimed at stabilizing fishermen's income, protecting fishery resources, and producing eco-friendly seafood, will be implemented on the 1st of next month.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the "Act on the Operation of Direct Payment System for the Promotion of Public Interest Functions in Fisheries and Fishing Villages (Fisheries Direct Payment Act)" was passed at the Cabinet meeting. The amendment stipulates ▲management transfer ▲fishery resource protection ▲requirements and procedures for the direct payment system for eco-friendly seafood ▲compliance matters for receiving public interest direct payments.

First, fishing households residing on islands or in sea-bordering areas will receive an annual conditional disadvantage area direct payment of 750,000 KRW. This is an increase from 700,000 KRW last year. The proportion of the direct payment that fishermen must contribute to the village community fund has also been reduced from the previous 30% to 20%, increasing the actual amount received by fishermen.

Direct payments will also be made to fishermen aged 65 to under 75 who transfer their fishing village membership qualifications to fishermen aged 55 or younger. Eligible recipients are fishing village members who have maintained their membership qualifications continuously for over 10 years and can prove their income through the fishing village's settlement report. If the average settlement income per fishing village member is 2 million KRW or less, a fixed payment of 1.2 million KRW is made; if it exceeds 2 million KRW, 60% of the settlement income is paid annually up to a limit of 14.4 million KRW for a maximum of 10 years.

Additionally, direct payments are provided to fishermen who comply with the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), voluntarily observe fishing moratoriums, and cooperate in achieving fishing vessel reduction targets by industry to protect fishery resources. For vessels under 2 tons, a fixed annual payment of 1.5 million KRW is made, and for vessels over 2 tons, direct payments are applied based on tonnage brackets at rates ranging from 650,000 to 750,000 KRW per year.

Furthermore, aquaculture households that have received eco-friendly certification and comply with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards are given direct payments based on area, item, and certification level at predetermined rates. Aquaculture households using environmentally friendly compound feed also receive direct payments ranging from 270,000 to 620,000 KRW per ton depending on the quality of the compound feed.

However, if obligations such as completing education or registering the fishery management entity are not fulfilled, the total direct payment amount will be reduced by 10 to 40% depending on the number of violations.

Kim Junseok, Director of Fisheries Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, "With the enforcement of the Fisheries Direct Payment Act, we will accelerate the transition to an eco-friendly seafood production structure and promote the influx of young talent into the fisheries industry." He added, "We expect the creation of vibrant fishing communities along with the production of food that the public can consume with confidence."

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