The Big Picture: As traditional single-species fisheries management falls short in addressing ecosystem interactions, there’s a growing need for ecosystem-based approaches, especially in Korea’s diverse fishing industry.
The Study: Researchers developed a Gear-based Fisheries Management Index (GFMI) for 24 coastal and offshore fisheries in Korea, focusing on gear controllability, environmental sustainability, and operational functionality.
The Discovery: Coastal gillnets and improved stow nets scored highest among coastal fisheries, while large bottom pair trawls ranked highest offshore. Coastal purse seines received the lowest score due to species selectivity advantages. Some fishing methods performed well operationally but faced high costs and efficiency constraints.
The Takeaway: The GFMI provides a comprehensive tool for evaluating and managing diverse fishing practices in Korea, balancing ecological impact with industrial needs and paving the way for more effective ecosystem-based fisheries management.