- Announcement of the 3rd Basic Plan for Fisheries Industry and Fishing Village Development (2026-2030)
- Ushering in an era of 4 million tons of seafood production, KRW 80 million in fishing household income, and USD 4.2 billion in exports the fishery into a self-reliant industry, from reforming the fishery production structure to eliminating barriers to entering the fisheries sector
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced that it has prepared the 3rd Basic Plan for Fisheries Industry and Fishing Village Development to outline the development direction of Korea's fisheries industry and fishing communities over the next five years, and to begin earnestly establishing a sustainable fisheries industry as well as vibrant fishing communities.
Amid the global climate change, demographic shifts, and rising protectionism, Korea's fisheries industry faces the challenges of weakening production base and labor shortage. On the other hand, the proliferation of smart and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies presents new growth opportunities.
In this situation, MOF has prepared the Basic Plan with the vision of “Sustainable ocean, self-reliant fisheries industry, and harmonious fishing communities” to turn the crisis into an opportunity. This Plan is a national mid- to long-term master plan established in accordance with the Framework Act on Fisheries and Fishing Village Development enacted in 2015 and was prepared after one year of consultation with domestic and international experts and relevant ministries following the end of the 2nd Basic Plan (2021-2025).
According to the Plan, the government set the goal of ① 4 million tons of fishery production, ② Fishing income of 80 million won, ③ Marine product exports worth USD 4.2 billion, ④ Managing the consumer price of fishery products within 3% per year, and ⑤ 2,000 people returning to fishing communities and rural areas annually by 2030, and it will pursue 10 strategies to support the achievement of the goals.
1. Establishing a sustainable fishing production system
MOF will introduce the concept of an essential fisheries fleet* to maintain fisheries production, planning to reduce low-productivity fishing vessels and aiming to increase production per vessel from KRW 110 million to KRW 600-700 million by 2030, the same level as Norway.
* The appropriate number of fishing vessels required to produce a minimum level of fishery products for food security The application stages of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) system will be reorganized into 5 stages in line with the advancement of the fishery resource evaluation system, and applying it to most fishing sectors and species. Moreover, transparency in system operations will increase by establishing information disclosure and evaluation exchange systems during the process of setting the allowable catch.
2. High value-added aquaculture industry built from the ground up
MOF will prevent climate damage by relocating marine farms from the coast to the open sea and identifying new farms in the East Sea, which has low water temperatures and high ability to withstand high temperatures. The Ministry will shift to land-based smart aquaculture—focusing on high value-added fish species enjoying high public preference—and encourage the entry of new investors and the expansion and automation of aquaculture farms through regulatory improvements such as easing restrictions on the aquaculture area.
It will also support industrial growth by developing equipment and materials based on proven technologies through the smart aquaculture cluster, securing sales channels, and providing customized support for growth. In the case of seeds, a virtuous-cycle structure will be set up by linking with industrialization the entire process from breeding to production and distribution of developed seeds and intermediate cultivation of superior seeds for key aquaculture products such as flounder and gim (dried laver). In the short term, the feed management system will be strengthened to ensure the stability of aquatic products; in the mid- to long-term, the use of compound feed will be expanded through a phased mandatory system.
3. Production statistics maintenance
MOF will unify the codes for each wholesale market to improve the accuracy of statistics on organized distribution channels and promote the use of input factor-based analysis techniques and AI to estimate non-organized channels. In the mid- to long-term, the Ministry will improve statistics by mandating statistical reporting upon receipt of government policy benefits and utilizing the data collected through smart devices.
4. High-quality seafood products that consumers seek first
To ensure stable growth in the food industry, MOF will conduct a survey on raw material supply and select and pilot a direct linkage model between producers and processors. The Ministry will also work with AI companies to introduce a planned production system that controls supply through forecasts from fry to harvest and identify ways of utilizing subtropical fish species due to climate change.
5. Distribution cost reduction and safety increase
MOF will conduct a survey on the national distribution network, production areas, and logistics system; based on the results, it will establish a Fisheries Production Center (FPC) and a Fishery Distribution Center (FDC) to shorten the distribution stage. The Ministry will also minimize distribution costs by expanding online wholesale and consignment sales, as well as direct sales outlets at consumer sites. In addition to the models currently under development for three species (hairtail, mackerel, and squid), a supply and demand forecasting model for each of the additional six species will be developed to strengthen capabilities by shifting price management from post-hoc responses to proactive management.
6. Enhancing export capabilities by making them more diverse and competitive
MOF will promote customized marine hygiene management to expand oyster exports to Europe—the largest oyster import and consumption region—and will expand exports to South America and Middle East through promotional activities linked to the Korean Wave and support for international certifications such as Halal and eco-friendly certifications. For gim, which is a major export item, the Ministry will introduce a grading system and establish an international seafood exchange to enhance trust in its quality. For tuna, it will expand the proportion of processed products to increase added value. To maintain the freshness of promising products such as flounder and abalone, an agreement will be signed for the joint use of logistics facilities; for processed products such as oysters and fish cakes, quality control and overseas promotion will be conducted.
In response to the increasing non-tariff barriers, the Ministry plans to establish a full-cycle traceability system for seafood products covering the entire cycle from raw material production to export, and to expand consulting services for each type to address exporters' challenges.
7. Strengthening supply chain linkages
MOF will establish international supply chain bases where domestic companies can enter local markets for promising, high-demand products and supply seafood. An international seafood exchange will be established in the port hinterland complex to lay the foundation for transparent international trade and position the region as a hub of Northeast Asian seafood trade.
8. A vibrant fishing village and a strong foundation for the fisheries industry
MOF will remove entry barriers that prevent young people from entering the fishing village, thereby revitalizing it. The Ministry will support young people in returning to fishing without initial capital by connecting with coastal fishing boats and leasing fish farms owned by public institutions, and by providing housing support for initial settlement through youth-oriented fishing villages and remodeling of empty houses. In addition, measures such as the basic income program for rural and fishing communities, expansion of the direct payment system, and introduction of income stabilization insurance are expected to open up fishing communities, improve the related system and change the enrollment requirement to mandatory community activities after enrollment, and strengthen the stability of fishing management.
To create a system for the coexistence of foreign workers, the Ministry will consider introducing a specialized visa for the fisheries industry and adjusting the allocation amount, etc. in consultation with the relevant ministries based on supply and demand. Moreover, it will implement support programs to enhance the expertise and work capabilities of foreign workers, including expanding opportunities for fisheries education for foreign workers and considering the introduction of education-employment linkage programs.
9. Fishing village where people want to live and visit
MOF will prioritize improving childcare, education, and welfare services—which are of greatest interest to each age group—in cooperation with the relevant ministries. The care period and method will be improved so that fishermen can engage in their livelihoods during the peak fishing season. The Ministry also plans to address the shortage of welfare and medical facilities by expanding services such as mobile welfare and medical service buses (Eobok Bus)* and non-face-to-face medical consultations by island-based medical teams.
* Providing medical and living services by visiting islands and fishing communities that have difficulty getting to the city center due to their geographical characteristics
To revitalize fishing communities as industrial spaces, the Ministry will implement the base port creation project for fostering national fishing ports with high development potential as marine product logistics hubs. The Fishing Village New Deal 3.0 project—which supports the improvement of the economic and living infrastructure of fishing communities—will continue; a fishing village development special zone will be introduced to attract private enterprises by providing benefits to the hinterlands of fishing communities and fishing ports.
10. Expanding Public Outreach
The information delivery channel Returning to the Fishing and Rural Village Center will be reorganized to focus on content and to utilize channels closely related to daily life. A customized return strategy tailored to each condition through an AI simulator will be presented, and the effectiveness of policy promotion through linkages such as counselors will be increased.
“The fisheries industry and fishing communities are not the edge of Korea’s territory but the starting point of regional balanced growth. With the 3rd Fisheries Industry and Fishing Village Development Plan, we will create a sustainable ocean that is unshaken by external changes, a self-reliant fisheries industry that generates profits and creates a virtuous cycle, as well as revitalized fishing communities,” said Choi Hyeon-ho, Director General of Fisheries Policy at MOF.