Incheon's Sammok Port designated local fishing port, set for redevelopment

Sammok Port in Incheon's Yeongjong-gu has been designated a local fishing port and will be developed into a new regional hub for the fishing industry.

Incheon city held a kickoff briefing Friday for a consultancy project to draw up a development plan for Sammok Port, formally launching the redevelopment process.

The city began work on a detailed development plan based on the results of a feasibility study on designating Sammok Port as a local fishing port, conducted in March.

It plans to complete the formal designation procedure in consultation with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The consultancy project covers about 100,000 square meters around Sammok Port, with the core goal of expanding fishing port functions while integrating waterfront space and tourism.

Specific areas under review include a comprehensive layout plan for port facilities, improvements to shelter and berthing facilities to prepare for severe weather, waterfront development, and the identification of fishing village tourism projects.

Incheon city envisions transforming Sammok Port from a simple fishing harbor into a multifunctional hub combining fishing and tourism.

"Once Sammok Port is designated a local fishing port, we expect it to contribute greatly not only to vessel safety but also to revitalizing the fishing village economy and increasing fishermen's incomes," said Kim Ik-jung, director of Incheon city's agriculture, fisheries and food bureau.

Currently managed as a fishing village residential port, Sammok Port has long faced calls from fishermen for facility improvements.

Particularly pressing are concerns about a shortage of shelter facilities and permanent berthing space for vessels to take refuge during bad weather, which has hampered both vessel safety and fishing operations.