Socioeconomic Study on the Sailfin Sandfish Stock Rebuilding Plan in Korea

Since the establishment and enforcement of the sandfish rebuilding plan in 2006, stock research and evaluation are continuously being conducted on the stock and diverse rebuilding measures are also being considered. The current sandfish stock rebuilding plan emphasizes policies to reduce fishing pressure and create resources, but it is relatively indifferent about the management of habitats and spawning grounds, protection of marine environment and reduction of pollution. More active participation by fishers and better understanding between fishers groups are required for the effective enforcement of the rebuilding plan, including the Total Allowable Catch(TAC) policy. Education and information campaigns directed at fishers should be reinforced to support the rebuilding plan as these plans must include broader participation by fishers. Summarizing the results of bioeconomic modelling analysis, biological changes in stock and economic profits were estimated differently for each policy measure. Stock increases and economic effects were found to become larger with decreasing level of fishing mortality. If fishing mortality is reduced by 50%, the target stock amount can be accomplished in 10 years of rebuilding period. If sandfish stock recovers according to the decrease in fishing mortality, the economic effect can be increased by 70% at maximum Accordingly, the effect of rebuilding plans for sandfish on other related fisheries must sufficiently be taken into consideration. In order to recover sandfish fisheries, a rebuilding plan for the ecosystem must gradually be established and related multi-fisheries should be managed systematically.