Gyeongbuk Province, Specialized Statistics for Underwater Fishing... First National Statistics Approval in the Country

Development of Statistics for Surveying the Status and Diagnosing the Fishing Environment of Underwater Fishing Workers in Gyeongbuk Province

Haenyeo, female divers, engaged in night fishing at Homigot.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] Gyeongbuk Province developed the 2022 Gyeongbuk Najam Fisheries Survey and obtained approval for statistical compilation from the National Statistical Office in accordance with the Statistics Act.

Najam fisheries refer to a traditional fishing method where divers, without oxygen supply devices, dive underwater and use sickles, hoes, knives, etc., to capture or harvest aquatic plants and animals such as shellfish and seaweed. This method has traditionally been practiced by haenyeo (female divers) and haenam (male divers).

Najam fishers in Gyeongbuk are active in five cities and counties including the East Sea and Ulleungdo. They perform activities such as creating communal fishing grounds, collecting marine debris, and cleaning rocks, serving as the foundation of fishing villages, key producers in coastal fisheries, and guardians of the marine ecosystem.

Although Najam fishers form fishing village communities and create socio-economic and environmental value, they are disappearing due to aging and income reduction.

Underwater fishermen of Ulleungdo, Haenam.

Gyeongbuk Province has enacted ordinances and is promoting preservation and support measures, but there is a lack of information to back these efforts.

In the same year, the Northeast Regional Statistical Office also proposed the “Need for New Development and Implementation Strategies for Haenyeo Surveys” in statistical and data consulting.

Since March, through consultations with the National Statistical Office, related local departments, and officials from five cities and counties, a survey plan and design were prepared. The survey design was finalized after advice from statistical experts, marine and fisheries specialists, and fishing village leaders.

In June, a specialized survey agency was selected, and in July, the procedure for national statistical compilation approval was carried out. In August, the Najam fisheries survey became the first nationwide specialized statistic to receive approval as a national statistic with a three-year survey cycle.

Previously, related organizations had conducted unofficial surveys or related research internally for their own use.

The survey will be conducted from the 5th of next month to October 28th, targeting 1,370 fishers who registered Najam fisheries in the region as of the end of December last year.

The survey covers 58 items across seven categories including basic information, health, safety, economic activities, and income to understand the management type, labor environment, and health status of Najam fishers and to diagnose their management environment. The results are scheduled to be announced in January next year.

Lee Jung-woo, Gyeongbuk Province’s Metaverse Policy Officer, said, “We will continue to actively develop region-tailored statistics to support the province in systematically implementing policies.” He added, “Next year, we plan to develop the ‘Gyeongbuk Province Elderly Registration Statistics’ to support population and welfare policies and pursue approval for national statistical compilation.”

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