Shin Euijun, Jeonnam Provincial Council Member, Warns of "Abalone Industry Collapse" ... Proposes Structural Solutions

Abalone Industry Shaken by Overproduction and Distribution Distortions
Calls for Comprehensive Reform Across Seed Production, Aquaculture, and Distribution

Shin Euijun, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Wando District 2), diagnosed the crisis facing the abalone industry and proposed fundamental structural solutions across all sectors-including seed production, aquaculture, and distribution-during the 393rd extraordinary session of the provincial council held on September 16.

Assemblyman Shin warned that overproduction and distribution distortions are threatening the abalone industry in Jeonnam, the heart of abalone production. He pointed out, "Jeonnam accounts for 99% of abalone production and 86% of exports, making it the center of the abalone industry, but overproduction and distortions in the distribution structure are shaking the very foundation of the industry."

He continued, "There are between 300 and 500 people waiting to close their abalone farms, and fishers are suffering from debt issues such as loans," expressing a sense of crisis by adding, "If this situation continues, large-scale bankruptcies could become a reality in Wando."

Jin Euijun, Jeonnam Provincial Council Member.

Assemblyman Shin divided the issues facing the abalone industry into three sectors-seed production, aquaculture, and distribution-and presented specific measures. First, regarding the seed production sector, he stated, "The price of juvenile abalone fluctuates from the high 200 KRW range to 450 KRW depending on the region and season, placing a significant burden on fisheries management," and insisted, "A fair pricing standard must be established through rational cost analysis."

In the aquaculture sector, he noted that the number of abalone cage facilities in Jeonnam has increased by 300,000 to a total of 1,064,000 since 2014, highlighting issues of overcrowding and the deterioration of fishing grounds. Assemblyman Shin emphasized, "Government support is needed to accelerate the reduction of cage farms, and there should also be support for closure and reduction targeted at elderly fishers." He added, "Tailored measures similar to the small business closure support system are necessary."

Regarding the distribution sector, he criticized the indiscriminate distribution of small or substandard abalone in the market, which leads to price distortions. Assemblyman Shin stressed, "It is necessary to increase the membership rate in distribution associations and to establish institutional mechanisms that ensure compliance with minimum quality and size standards."

Assemblyman Shin advocated for the establishment of a 'control tower' to enable integrated management and cooperation across the seed production, aquaculture, and distribution sectors of the abalone industry, without barriers between them. In particular, he argued, "Currently, abalone production and distribution in Jeonnam are fragmented, so they must be unified into a single system."

He concluded by expressing his strong commitment to revitalizing the abalone industry, saying, "Although the abalone industry is in a slump, if we share the burden and work together, the sighs of fishers can turn into laughter."

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