The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced its plan that a total budget of 3.8 billion KRW will be injected into the project of ‘distributing bio-degradable fishing gear’. This year will distribute a total of six items adding blue crab pots to the exisiting five items for last year such as gill nets for snow crab, red snow crab, blue crab, and small yellow croaker; and fish pot funnel for whitespotted conger. 

Exisiting fishing nets made of textiles such as nylon sink under the sea without decomposing, whereas the newly-developed fishing nets by NIFS are decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms after a certain amount of time in the ocean, Therefore, the bio-degradable nets are effective in mitigating the damages to fisheries resources caused by discarded fishing nets and eventually protecting marine ecosystems. 

To stimulate the project, NIFS conducts tests for the performance and quality of bio-degradable fishing gears. Any fishermen who hope to receive the items can apply through their local governments or regional fisheries cooperatives. 

NIFS president Choi Yong-seok said, “In response to the globally strengthening management of discarded fishing nets, NIFS will take the lead in such efforts to protect marine wildlife through promotion events in and outside the country as well as meetings with stakeholders, while bolstering our support for fishermen and bio-degradable fishing nets manufacturers.”