The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Nov. 6 announced its hosting of the International Conference on Fishing Communities (ICFC) from Nov. 9-12 at the convention center Songdo Convensia in Incheon. Shown is a group photo of the delegates at the ICFC's National Representatives Meeting from Nov. 24-27, 2024, at International Convention Center Jeju in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. (2025 ICFC's official website)
By Lee Dasom
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has hosted with the Korea Maritime Institute the International Conference on Fishing Communities (ICFC) from Nov. 9-12 at the convention center Songdo Convensia in Incheon.
The ICFC is a global fishing policy dialogue that brings together fishing communities, governments, international organizations and think tanks worldwide to discuss issues facing fishing villages and strategic cooperation for sustainable responses.
This is the third time for Korea to host the event, having held the inaugural edition in 2023 in Busan and last year's in Jeju.
Held under the theme "One Ocean, One Community: The Future of Fishing Communities - Connecting Regions, People and Nature," the ICFC covers four topics: 1) sustainable management of resources and transition to a people-focused transformation of the fishing village economy; 2) settlement and expansion of youths and women; 3) adaptation to climate change and resilience of such villages; and 4) the future through solidarity and connection between fishing communities and regions.
Side events include a government representatives' meeting, programs related to the Blue Ports Initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency, and a roundtable for young fishermen from across the country.
Choi Hyun-ho, director general of the ministry's International Cooperation Policy Bureau, said, "We hope that this year's ICFC is an opportunity to boost the sustainability of fishing communities, improve the resilience of marine and coastal regional communities, and promote the preservation and management of marine resources."
dlektha0319@korea.kr