Squid catches along South Korea's east coast jumped nearly sevenfold in a single week ahead of the Chuseok holiday. Still, the year-to-date total stands at just 37% of the same period last year, suggesting the fishery has yet to stage a genuine recovery.
Catch Climbs From 8 Tons to 54 Tons in a Week
Squid landings along the Gangwon east coast totaled 54 tons between the 16th and the 22nd, according to weekly fishery data released by Gangwon State on the 23rd. That was 6.9 times the 8 tons recorded the previous week.
The value of the catch also rose sharply. Squid landings were worth 741 million won ($530,000) over the same period, about 3.5 times the previous week's figure.
By area, Gangneung led with 38 tons, or roughly 70% of the total squid catch. Sokcho followed with 7.2 tons, Goseong with 4.1 tons, Samcheok with 3.3 tons, Yangyang with 0.8 ton and Donghae with 0.6 ton.
Total landings along the east coast also increased from the prior week. A combined 834 tons were caught from the 16th through the 22nd, up about 38% from 604 tons a week earlier. The value was estimated at 4.76 billion won.
Herring topped the list by species at 217 tons, followed by yellowtail at 86 tons, red snow crab at 85 tons, squid at 54 tons, flatfish at 35 tons, octopus at 27 tons and blowfish at 1 ton. Other species accounted for 329 tons.
Red snow crab landings rose to 85 tons from 48 tons a week earlier, while yellowtail increased to 86 tons from 66 tons. Octopus, a common dish on holiday tables, fell to 27 tons from 45 tons.
A One-Week Blip? Year-to-Date Total Is 37% of Last Year's
Despite the sharp weekly gain, some question whether the longer-term outlook for the fishery has improved.
Squid landings along the Gangwon east coast totaled 849 tons from January through Sept. 22. That is 37% of the 2,273 tons caught in the same period last year and just 66% of the 1,285-ton average for the same period over the past three years.
Gangwon State said overall catches are likely to remain weak because high water temperatures have limited the size of the common squid schools moving south toward the East Sea coast.
Meanwhile, total landings across Gangwon State through Sept. 22 came to 28,358 tons, up 17% from the same period last year. The value of those landings, however, fell 3% to 132.36 billion won.
