In brief
The fishing industry in South Korea has seen a staggering rise in accidents, with 164 individuals reported either dead or missing in 2024 alone, largely attributed to climate change-related factors. Fishermen are forced to venture into more perilous waters as fish populations shift, leading to tragedies at sea. Government investigations point to environmental changes, including increased storm frequency and warmer waters, as critical factors for the growing dangers. Advocates call for urgent reforms to ensure the safety of fishermen amidst a troubling future for the industry.
Hong Suk-hui was waiting on the shore of South Korea's Jeju Island when the call came. His fishing boat had capsized.
Just two days earlier, the vessel had ventured out on what he had hoped would be a long and fruitful voyage. But as the winds grew stronger, its captain was ordered to turn back. On the way to port, a powerful wave struck from two directions, creating a whirlpool, and the boat flipped. Five of the 10 crew members, who had been asleep in their cabins below deck, drowned.
Last year, 164 people were killed or went missing in accidents in the seas around South Korea – a 75% jump from the year before. Most were fishermen whose boats sunk or capsized.
This year, the head of the taskforce pinpointed climate change as one of the major causes, alongside problems like the aging fishing workforce and poor safety training.
The seas around Korea are warming more rapidly than the global average, with the average surface temperature rising by 1.58°C since 1968. Warming waters contribute to extreme weather, increasing the risks for those fishing further from shore.
Professor Gug Seung-gi mentioned how the unpredictable weather is causing more boats to capsize, especially smaller ones that are unprepared for long, challenging trips.
Experts stress the urgency of implementing safety measures and improving training for the influx of migrant workers joining the workforce, often under unsafe conditions due to lack of training and language barriers.
Without substantive intervention, the future for South Korea's fishing communities may become increasingly bleak, with predictions indicating significant declines in fish populations due to ongoing climate change.
