Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Eases Regulations to Improve Operational Safety and Income

Six Additional Industries Selected for Pilot Project Easing Fisheries Regulations
Transition to a Total Allowable Catch-Based Management System

The government has selected additional industries for a pilot project that temporarily eases fishing regulations, aiming to improve operational safety, efficiency, and fishermen’s income. This initiative is part of efforts to transition to a Total Allowable Catch (TAC)-based fisheries management system, with the intention of promoting the modernization of fisheries by partially relaxing on-site regulations.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on February 2 that, following the review of the 2nd Central Fisheries Coordination Committee in 2026, it has selected six additional industries to participate in the "2025·2026 Fishing Season Fisheries Regulation Easing Pilot Project." Including the 14 industries selected in July of last year, a total of 20 industries are now part of the pilot project.

This project is a system that temporarily relaxes certain fisheries-related laws for group fishing vessels that both demonstrate a recognized need for regulatory easing and strictly comply with set conditions.

The newly selected industries include: easing the mesh size requirement for octopus pots in the Jeonnam region; relaxing the pole length restriction for shrimp seine fishing; and relaxing the length restrictions for eel net fishing gear (both upstream and downstream) for glass eels. In addition, the prohibition period for using Gijang quarter seine gear has been adjusted from the previous April-June to February-April, and modifications to the fish sorting nets and the use of intermediate mesh nets have been permitted for offshore anchovy net fishing in the West Sea. The easing of pole length restrictions for shrimp seine fishing in the Gyeongnam region was selected with conditions such as requirements for resource management and mandatory registration with a catch certification management app.

The Ministry explained that, for octopus pots, easing the mesh size requirement can reduce bait loss, leading to cost savings and improved product quality. For shrimp seine fishing, relaxing the pole length limit can decrease vibration and hull damage, thereby enhancing vessel stability. For glass eel net fishing, adjusting the upstream and downstream gear lengths can reduce gear entanglement and the risk of capsizing accidents, thus justifying the need for regulatory easing.

Choi Hyunho, Director General of Fisheries Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, "The pilot project for easing fisheries regulations is a key pillar in advancing the modernization of fisheries," adding, "For measures proven to be effective, we will pursue institutionalization through legal amendments and continue to expand regulatory innovation that the public can truly experience."

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