Wando County Council Takes Active Steps to Support Abalone-Producing Fishermen

Published 14 Apr.2023 10:16(KST)

Promotion Activities for City and County Councils and Nationwide Hyangwoo Associations

The Wando County Council in Jeollanam-do (Chairman Heo Gung-hee) has launched a promotional campaign to encourage the purchase of abalone to support local abalone farmers who are struggling.

According to the county council on the 14th, Chairman Heo Gung-hee attended the Jeollanam-do city and county council chairpersons' meeting on the 12th and urged attendees to buy abalone and join the effort.

Following Chairman Heo Gung-hee's proposal that day, the Jeollanam-do City and County Chairpersons' Council and some cities and counties placed abalone orders on the spot.

At the Jeonnam City and County Council Chairpersons' Meeting, Heo Gung-hee, Chairperson of the Wando County Council, requested to join in eating abalone.
[Photo by Wando County Council]

Members of the Wando County Council are also appealing for participation in buying abalone while attending regular meetings and unity events of hometown associations nationwide to support local fishermen facing difficulties.

Recently, due to an oversupply of abalone and sluggish sales causing prices to fall, concerns among local fishermen have increased, prompting efforts to assist them.

In the past, abalone was rare and expensive, making it a luxury rarely seen on ordinary dining tables. However, after the success of abalone farming, domestic production has increased, and the abalone farming industry has expanded not only in the West Sea but also to the East Sea and Ulleungdo.

Wando County accounts for 75% of domestic abalone production, playing a central role in abalone sales prices. However, although production increases every year, difficulties are worsening due to poor sales.

Chairman Heo Gung-hee stated, "This event was promoted to help fishermen struggling with falling abalone prices and sales difficulties," and added, "We will regularly monitor abalone supply and demand trends and do our best at the council level to fundamentally resolve the causes to stabilize prices."