Reorganization of the International Fisheries Regime in the East Sea - Case by Korea and Japan Squid Angling Fisheries -

동해에 있어서 한국과 일본 오징어채낚기어업의 재편방향

This study intends to review the development of Squid Angling Fisheries of Korea and Japan and subsequent changes in the fisheries regime as well as management conditions and to examine reorganization directions. Although catches and productivity are all increasing in Korea and Japan as the squid resource in the East Sea is improving, the number of fishing vessels and the conditions of fisheries management are showing a symmetrical relationship. The former is increasing in Korea and decreasing in Japan while the latter is aggravating in Korea and rather stable in Japan. And while the competition between the two countries for more fishing grounds and catches are not that serious since the resource is relatively increasing, the catch and price competition with other domestic fisheries is a more significant problem. Furthermore, even though light restriction is implemented in both countries in order to suppress over-competition, it is adopted as a means to curtail management costs and block over-investment rather than to adjust international or inter-fisheries circumstances. Japan has been implementing the TAC system on squid resources since 1998. However, it has a different meaning than as a resource management method in its original sense because it is based on the highest catch level of the past and takes into consideration the fishermen's management conditions. In case of Korea, it is necessary to establish a plan to strengthen its fisheries management competence to address its shrinking catch in the Japanese waters. The developments mentioned so far have appeared amidst the increase of squid resources, and if such conditions disappear, problems such as international allocation of catches and fishing seasons, access to fishing grounds, and domestic conflicts among different fisheries will emerge.