Designation of Traditional Fishing Method 'Gaetbeol Eoro' as National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Support for Academic Research and Transmission Activation... Expanding Scope by Additional Investigation of Traditional Knowledge
Recent Reappraisal of Tidal Flat Ecological, Social, and Cultural Values, Highlighting Human-Nature Coexistence

The traditional fishing method known as 'Gaetbeol fishing' has been designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. On the 20th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it will support academic research and programs to revitalize transmission so that the public can share the value of intangible heritage and participate in its preservation. Additional investigations into various traditional fishing-related knowledge will be conducted to expand the scope of designation. However, since it is a culture inherited and enjoyed by fishermen throughout the West and South Sea coasts, individual holders or holder groups were not recognized.

This is the second time a fishing method has been designated as intangible cultural heritage, following 'Eosal.' 'Gaetbeol fishing' includes not only the fishing techniques of harvesting shellfish and mollusks from tidal flats using bare hands or hand tools but also related traditional knowledge, organizational culture, rituals, and ceremonies. The tidal flats are a treasure trove of seafood such as oysters, clams, octopus, and shrimp. Fishermen have traditionally regarded them as fields of the sea. They managed them collectively as communal property. Even today, livelihoods are maintained centered around fishing villages.

The 'Gaetbeol fishing' method basically uses bare hands or hand tools. Different techniques are used depending on the marine currents, tides, geology, and tidal flat environment. For example, in muddy tidal flats, a flat boat called 'bbeolbae' (널배) is used; in sandy tidal flats, tools such as 'geulgge' (긁게), 'sseogae' (써개), and rakes are used; in mixed tidal flats, hoes, spades, and pitchforks are used; and in pebble tidal flats, 'josae' (조새) is used. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "Even with the same tools, usage methods have diversified regionally over many years of transmission."

Fishing methods vary by region even for the same shellfish or mollusks. For example, for the Manila clam (Gamulak), fishermen either dig with bare hands or use a hoe. The former is effective in muddy tidal flats because it is easy to visually identify the breathing holes. In sandy tidal flats, where it is difficult to visually locate them, fishermen tap the tidal flat bottom with a hoe. They identify the location by observing the Manila clam spraying water or opening its shell in response to the vibration.

Related history has not been extensively documented in literature. However, large quantities of oysters, cockles, and clams have been found in shell middens from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Goryeo periods excavated along the West and South Sea coasts, suggesting a long history. The first specific record is found in 'Jasan Eobo' (玆山魚譜), written by the late Joseon Dynasty practical scholar Jeong Yak-jeon (丁若銓).

Gaetbeol fishing has developed into various production rituals, beliefs, and games. A representative communal ritual is 'Gaetje,' a ceremony where residents personify clams or oysters and invite them to the tidal flats to pray for an abundant harvest. Other customs that well illustrate the tidal flat traditions and culture include 'Dokkaebi Fire Watching,' which predicts a bountiful catch, and 'Deungparu Nori,' a game played by villagers after harvesting oysters and clams.

Fishing ground rituals performed for a bountiful catch and safety during fishing cannot be overlooked. Fishermen believed that the sounds coming from holes in the tidal flats when the tide recedes were caused by dokkaebi (goblins) walking. They believed that dokkaebi governed fish activity in the tidal flats and held rituals offering buckwheat porridge or buckwheat jelly as sacrifices. This was based on the belief that dokkaebi liked the smell of buckwheat.

Recently, tidal flats have been re-evaluated for their ecological, social, and cultural values. There is an increasing number of designations such as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Gaetbeol Provincial Parks. In July, tidal flats in Seocheon, Gochang, Sinan, Boseong, and Suncheon were inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site (Korea's tidal flats). The will to revitalize Gaetbeol fishing is also relatively high. Fishing communities autonomously set fishing moratoriums and release juvenile fish to sustain the practice. It is emerging as a space where humans and nature mutually influence and coexist.

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