Hwaseong's Gungpyeong and Two Other Fishing Communities Selected as 'Excellent Fishing Associations' by Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries; Secures 300 Million Won in Support

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province's Gungpyeong Fishing Community Association in Hwaseong, Jonghyeon Fishing Community Association in Ansan, and Wolgot Fishing Community Association in Siheung have been selected as excellent fishing associations in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' "2024 Excellent Fishing Association Support Project," receiving 100 million won each for a total of 300 million won (50% national funding, 50% local funding).

The Excellent Fishing Association Support Project is a national funding initiative launched last year to attract new fishing community members (city residents and returning fishermen), maintain communities, and respond to the depopulation of fishing villages. The project selects fishing associations that have successfully relaxed membership requirements and recruited numerous new members, and provides support for purchasing various facilities and equipment.

The 2024 Excellent Fishing Association Support Project selected 20 locations nationwide, with three fishing associations from Gyeonggi Province being selected. Last year, three associations—Baekmi Fishing Community Association and Jeongok Fishing Community Association in Hwaseong, and Sangdong Fishing Community Association in Ansan—were selected as excellent fishing associations. With 60 fishing associations in Gyeonggi Province, six associations representing 10% have been designated as excellent fishing associations to date.

The three associations selected this year attracted a total of eight new members last year. Additionally, they were selected as excellent fishing associations after amending their bylaws to lower entry barriers by expanding membership eligibility from only those residing in the specific fishing community to those residing in the respective city.

Kim Bong-hyeon, Director of the Marine and Fisheries Division, stated, "The Excellent Fishing Association Support Project is an important initiative that brings vitality to fishing communities facing extinction due to aging populations," and added, "Through this support project, we will continue to make efforts to lower barriers to entry into fishing communities and attract new members."