Incheon's Ganghwa fishing zone gets up to 2 extra hours a day — first full-area reform in 44 years

Fishing hours in Incheon's Ganghwa sea zone will be extended by up to two hours a day.

The move follows the full lifting of nighttime fishing and navigation restrictions in Incheon's coastal waters south of 37°30′ N in January, and marks the first fishing regulation reform covering all of Incheon's sea zones in roughly 44 years.

Under the new rules, the entire Ganghwa sea zone north of 37°30′ N — previously limited to operations between sunrise and sunset — will be allowed to fish starting 30 minutes before sunrise and until 30 minutes after sunset, adding one hour of fishing time per day.

Waters south of the seven fishing grounds along the southern tip of Ganghwa will receive an additional two hours per day during the peak fishing seasons of April through June and September through November, with operations permitted from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

The seven fishing grounds are Mandori B, Saeteo, Seonsu, Hupo-Gingotji, Bunori, Donggeomdo and Hwangsando.

The deregulation covers a sea area of approximately 640.7 square kilometers — about 221 times the size of Yeouido.

Incheon city said an analysis of projected fishing output and industry conditions suggests the extended hours will generate an estimated economic benefit of around 5 billion won ($3.29 million) per year.

Once the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries completes its revision of the public notice governing temporary fishing and navigation restrictions in Incheon's waters, a pilot fishing program in the Ganghwa sea zone is set to run from July through December.