Incheon fishing production rises following night fishing deregulation

The relaxation of night fishing regulations in Incheon waters, the first such change in 44 years, has led to a significant increase in fishing activity and production. According to data from Incheon Metropolitan City comparing the period from March to June 2026 with the previous year, fishing days rose by 6.9% and the total volume of fish brought to market increased by 10.6%.

Notably, blue crab production saw a substantial surge, rising 75.6% from 1,193 tons to 2,096 tons during the same period. While officials noted that factors such as water temperature and resource availability also influence yields, the data reflects a clear shift in fishing operations following the deregulation.

Participation in night fishing has grown steadily, with the average number of vessels participating daily increasing from 39 in March to 59 in May. Incheon officials plan to monitor fishing performance through the peak season from September to November and continue discussing further regulatory improvements with relevant agencies to support fishermen's income and working conditions.