Consultations begin Friday with shrimp sector, running through year-end
Fisheries subsidies, Japanese imports, compensation measures among key issues
Minister Hwang Jong-woo vows to 'minimize damage to fisheries industry'
Amid growing concern over fisheries market opening under CPTPP, the government is launching industry consultations beginning with the shrimp sector. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to gather on-the-ground demands centered on key issues raised by the fishing industry, including the preservation of fisheries subsidies, regulations on Japanese seafood imports and measures to offset potential losses.
The ministry announced Thursday it will hold a series of consultations with fishing industry representatives from Friday through the end of the year to assess CPTPP's potential impact on domestic fisheries and identify industry concerns.
The consultations follow up on a presidential dialogue with farmers and fishers held Oct. 26, at which fishing industry representatives raised concerns about potential losses from opening the seafood market under CPTPP, as well as the question of maintaining fisheries subsidies. Calls were also made to keep regulations on Japanese seafood imports in place and to establish compensation measures before any market opening takes effect.
The ministry decided to organize the consultations by product and sector, recognizing that the impact of market opening and the needs of those affected may vary significantly. Each session will focus on the production and distribution conditions specific to individual products, the anticipated effects of liberalization and the support measures the industry requires.
The first consultation will be held Friday in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, with representatives from the shrimp farming and fishing vessel sectors attending to discuss CPTPP-related issues and submit recommendations.
Subsequent sessions will expand to cover major aquaculture products including yellowtail, sea bream, scallops and sea squirts. Separate consultations are also planned for coastal and offshore fisheries operators as well as deep-sea fishing industry representatives to gather sector-specific views.
The ministry said it will use the concerns and demands gathered through the consultations as the basis for developing measures to reduce damage to the fisheries industry and strengthen its competitiveness.
"It is important to fully listen to what the industry is worried about regarding CPTPP's impact, and what difficulties are expected by product and sector," Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo said. "We will listen carefully to the voices from the field and work together with fishing industry members to find ways to minimize damage to the fisheries industry while enhancing its competitiveness."
adastra@heraldcorp.com
