Trend in registered fishing vessels in South Korea Source: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

Year / Registered vessels 2000 / 95,890 2010 / 76,974 2015 / 67,226 2020 / 65,744 2023 / 64,233 2024 / 63,731 2025 / 63,141

More than four in 10 registered fishing vessels in South Korea are aged over 21 years, new government data show, as the overall fleet continues to shrink under vessel-reduction programs.

According to the "2025 Registered Fishing Vessel Statistics" released by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Thursday, the number of registered fishing vessels last year stood at 63,141 — down 590, or 0.9 percent, from 63,731 the year before.

The fleet has been declining steadily since 2000, when 95,890 vessels were registered. The count fell to 76,974 in 2010, 67,226 in 2015, 65,744 in 2020 and 64,233 in 2023. Over the 25 years through last year, the total dropped by 32,749 vessels, or 34.2 percent. The ministry attributed the decline primarily to coastal and offshore vessel-reduction programs aimed at managing fishery resources.

Vessels aged 21 years or older numbered 27,506, accounting for 43.6 percent of the total fleet.

By fishing type, coastal vessels were the most common at 36,016, making up 57.0 percent of the total. By size, vessels under 5 gross tons numbered 49,988, or 79.2 percent of the fleet — roughly eight out of every 10 registered vessels.

By hull material, fiberglass-reinforced plastic vessels dominated at 61,318, representing 97.1 percent of all registered fishing boats.

By region, South Jeolla Province had the largest share, with 26,689 vessels — 42.3 percent of the national total. South Gyeongsang Province, South Chungcheong Province, Busan, North Jeolla Province and North Gyeongsang Province followed in that order.

Choi Hyeon-ho, director general for fisheries policy at the ministry, said the statistics would serve as essential baseline data for policy development on fishing vessel safety and support for fishermen. "Based on these figures, we will work to create an environment where fishermen can operate their vessels with peace of mind," he said.


adastra@heraldcorp.com