Korea, Philippines to Explore Cooperation in Sustainable Fisheries

- 2nd Korea-Philippines Joint Fisheries Committee to discuss cooperation in aquaculture

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced that it would hold the 2nd Korea-Philippines Joint Fisheries Committee meeting in Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday, November 19. The Joint Fisheries Committee for the implementation of the Korea-Philippines MOU on Fisheries Cooperation, signed during the 2019 Korea-ASEAN Special Summit, will meet for the second time this year.

 In this committee, our country's representative, Director General Kim Myeong-jin of International Cooperation Policy at MOF, will attend the committee meeting as the chief representative from Korea, with Director Isidro M. Velayo, Jr. of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources of the Department of Agriculture as the chief representative from the Philippines.

 The 1st Joint Fisheries Committee was held via videoconference in October 2021. This year’s meeting will advance the previous discussions further to introduce each country's fisheries policies for climate change and marine environment protection and discuss cooperation measures between the two countries in all aspects of marine and fisheries, including the eradication of IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fishing.

 Korea will introduce the aquaculture policy to prepare for climate change, including abnormal water temperatures, as a major agenda and seek cooperation between the two countries for sustainable fisheries. In addition, MOF plans to share Korea's fishing gear management policies—such as the fishing gear deposit system and biodegradable fishing gear distribution project—to protect the marine environment by preventing the generation of discarded fishing gear and seek cooperation between the two countries.

 Moreover, Korea will discuss cooperation related to eradicating IUU fishing while introducing and promoting the 10th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) scheduled to be held in Busan in April next year and the APEC Maritime Ministerial Meeting to be held in conjunction with it.

 “Through this joint committee, we will strengthen cooperation with the Philippines—a key ASEAN partner—for sustainable oceans and fisheries such as fisheries policies in response to climate change and eco-friendly fishing gear management to preserve the marine environment. I also look forward to continued cooperation between the two countries to eradicate IUU fishing and for a sustainable ocean,” Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung said.