WCC 2020 Rec 094 - Activity Report

A collaborative working group has been established for the conservation of NRFPs, comprising researchers, NGOs, and policymakers from Korea, China, and Japan. Each subgroup within this collaboration is dedicated to advancing the realms of scientific research, policy making, and public awareness and education. Upcoming schedules organised by the Korean Ministry of Fisheries (MOF) includes an online meeting set for July, followed by a conference and face-to-face meetings in Seoul this September.

Three meetings were set up with members of the fishing communities in the South and Western seas of Korea, particularly with those who have experienced frequent bycatch during autumn of 2022. These meetings aimed to gather crucial insights and information directly from the affected communities regarding the challenges they faced with bycatch. Furthermore, the meetings provided an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue surrounding the importance and advantages of NRFP (Natural Resources Forest Protected) conservation.

Since 2019, unmanned drones (UAV) and line transect surveys were utilized for population studies in the south and western seas of Korea. This approach has enabled researchers to assess and analyze NRFP populations. Moreover, since 2022, dedicated efforts have been directed towards conducting acoustics research in select areas, further enhancing our understanding of marine ecosystems. As the years have progressed, the scope of area coverage has expanded significantly, fueling plans for future expansion to facilitate even more extensive and comprehensive data collection.

Officials at the City of Yeosu are currently actively engaged in discussions with key stakeholders to designate nearby waters Korea's second NRFP protected area, while simultaneously addressing logistical considerations. In parallel, MOF is formulating collaborative strategies for cities along the South and Western coasts to unite their efforts in the preservation of NRFPs, fostering a collective approach towards conservation.

In 2022, Plan Ocean, a Korean NGO collaborating with MOF, conducted necropsies on 14 NRFP specimens. The findings revealed that deaths were caused by suffocation during bycatch, trauma from collisions, as well as parasitic infections. The necropsies also encompassed studies on general biology, parasitology, habitat, microplastics, and POPs. In 2023, an additional 15 specimens will be examined, with an expanded research scope.

The National Institute of Fisheries Science, a science-oriented subsidiary under the MOF, developed excluder devices for stow nets, which are known to have a high association with bycatch. However, in response to concerns raised by fishing communities regarding potential decreases in catch, further development and upgrades are currently underway.