Autumn Sea Covered with Webfoot Octopus... Daecheon Coast in Boryeong Restores Its Reputation as a "Fishing Mecca"

Hundreds of Boats Set Sail as Soon as the Fishing Ban Ends
Anglers Flock from Across the Country, Creating a Fishing Frenzy

Webfoot octopus

The autumn waters of the West Sea are heating up once again. With the lifting of the webfoot octopus fishing ban off Daecheon in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, anglers from across the country are flocking to the area, restoring its reputation as a "fishing mecca."

More than 300 fishing boats are setting sail, and on weekends, the sea is filled with excitement for webfoot octopus fishing.

According to Boryeong City on September 10, as soon as the three-month webfoot octopus fishing ban was lifted on September 1, sea fishing enthusiasts from all over the country rushed to Boryeong.

On the very first day, despite it being a weekday, 305 out of the 343 webfoot octopus fishing boats registered in Boryeong set sail simultaneously, demonstrating the immense popularity of the event.

Especially on weekends, all registered boats took to the water, turning the Daecheon coast into a spectacular scene dubbed the "Webfoot Octopus Battle."

Webfoot octopus fishing reaches its peak twice a year: in spring (March to May) and in autumn (September to November). In spring, the octopus are prized for their savory flavor with eggs full inside, while in autumn, after a summer of feeding, their flesh becomes firmer and more flavorful, offering a chewy texture.

The city has prepared comprehensive measures to accommodate the influx of anglers. Illegal parking enforcement teams have been deployed around Daecheon Port and Ocheon Port, and intensive crackdowns will be conducted every weekend and public holiday at dawn through October.

The Boryeong Maritime Police Station is also implementing special safety measures, including strengthened sea patrols, safety promotion via social media, rescue teams on standby, preventive campaigns, and management of passengers on board.

Meanwhile, as fishermen faced difficulties this spring due to a decrease in webfoot octopus catches, Boryeong City collaborated with the Chungnam Fisheries Resources Research Institute in June to release 100,000 juvenile webfoot octopuses to help replenish resources.

Experts have emphasized, "To ensure a plentiful harvest next year, all juvenile webfoot octopuses must be returned to the sea," urging anglers to cooperate.

Webfoot octopus is also highly regarded for its nutritional value. Rich in taurine and omega-3 fatty acids, it is effective in improving blood circulation and relieving fatigue, and as a low-calorie, high-protein food, it is well-suited for diets.

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