Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Pursue Mid- to Long-Term Introduction of Recreational Fishing License System

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is pursuing the introduction of a recreational fishing license system as a mid- to long-term measure to protect the marine environment and fisheries resources.

On June 9, the Ministry announced that the Third Basic Plan for the Promotion of Recreational Fishing (2025?2029) includes a review of a fishing license system, a phased introduction of a catch quota system, and consideration of introducing vessels dedicated exclusively to recreational fishing, all aimed at creating a sustainable fishing environment.

As of last year, there were approximately 4,000 recreational fishing vessels, with about 5 million annual users of these vessels and a total recreational fishing population of 7.2 million. The catch from recreational fishing has also increased, leading to conflicts with commercial fishers in some regions and growing calls for better fisheries resource management. Environmental pollution caused by recreational fishing is also cited as a problem.

Countries such as the United States and those in Europe require recreational fishers to pay for the use of fisheries resources through a license system, and they also impose limits on the number of fish caught. In Korea, discussions about a fishing license system have taken place since the 2000s, but repeated attempts have failed due to opposition from fishing organizations.

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Government Sejong Complex. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

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