Catch per unit effort (CPUE) is widely utilized as an index of stock abundance in fisheries assessments, but its interpretation is often complicated by temporal and spatial variation in fishing activity. For this reason, CPUE standardization is essentially needed to produce indices that better reflect the actual stock status. In Korea, however, the limited availability of detailed operational data has posed challenges for effective CPUE standardization. In this study, CPUE data for sailfin sandfish (Arctoscopus japonicus) caught by the East Sea mid-sized Danish seine fishery were standardized using records from the Korean Fishery Radio Station (FRS) from 2004 to 2024. The dataset mainly consists of fishing dates, locations (30’ × 30’ latitude-longitude grids), and catch weights. A generalized linear model (GLM) was applied, incorporating year, quarter, area, and their interactions as explanatory variables. Among these, the year was identified as the most influential factor, followed by quarter and area. The standardized CPUE showed a more stable trend than the nominal CPUE, which showed an increase from 2004 to 2017 and a sharp decline thereafter. This suggests that the standardized CPUE more accurately reflects the underlying dynamics of sailfin sandfish stock abundance. Despite the absence of detailed logbook records, the FRS records effectively captured the spatial distribution of fishing activity and operational patterns, demonstrating their potential as alternative data sources for CPUE standardization. Nevertheless, limitations remain due to the self-reported nature of the data, which may lead to low coverage and potential reliability issues. Improvements in both the quantity and quality of data collection and reporting are necessary to enhance the utility of such data in stock assessments. This study highlights the potential and challenges of using FRS data for CPUE standardization and provides practical guidance for its application in fisheries management.
Largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) is a commercially important warm-water species widely distributed in Korean coastal and offshore waters as well as adjacent waters. Recently, recreational fishing catches of this species have increased substantially, raising concerns about their contribution to total fishing pressure and the potential bias in stock assessment based solely on commercial catches. In this study, recreational fishing catches of largehead hairtail from 1970 to 2023 were reconstructed and combined with commercial catches to estimate total removals. Stock assessments were conducted using the CMSY (Catch-MSY) method under two scenarios: one using only commercial catches and the other incorporating recreational catches into the total catches. The results indicate that the current stock status of largehead hairtail is not overfished (B/BMSY > 1) and not subject to overfishing (F/FMSY < 1). However, the probability of overfishing increased compared to the scenario using only commercial catches when including recreational catches. This suggests that stock status may be overestimated if recreational removals are ignored. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating recreational fishing into stock assessments and indicate that systematic management of recreational fisheries should be implemented alongside commercial fisheries to ensure the sustainable use of the stock.
Korea’s fisheries industry has long played a crucial role in national food security and economic development. However, fisheries resource depletion, marine environmental degradation, and climate change have heightened the need for effective fisheries resource management. This study examines overlapping and conflicting regulations within Korea’s fisheries resource management system and proposes science-based solutions to improve regulatory effectiveness. Through a comprehensive review of fisheries-related laws and policies, combined with case studies on minimum catch sizes, closed seasons, and total allowable catch (TAC), this study identifies multiple instances of regulatory overlap. These include inconsistencies in minimum catch size regulations across different laws and conflicts between TAC and other regulatory measures. Such overlaps reduce administrative efficiency, increase compliance costs for fishers, and weaken the effectiveness of fisheries resource management. To address these challenges, this study aims to analyze the current status of overlapping regulations in Korea’s fisheries resource management system and present scientific and rational solutions. Ultimately, the research seeks to enhance administrative efficiency, alleviate burdens on fishers and contribute to the establishment of a sustainable fisheries resource management framework.
This study assessed the effects of mesh-size variation on the size-selective performance and operational characteristics of tie-down gillnets targeting the blackedged sculpin (Gymnocanthus herzensteini) in the East Sea. Four mesh sizes (84, 90, 105, and 120 mm) were evaluated under standardized field conditions, and length-frequency data were analyzed using the SELECT model in conjunction with two relative performance metrics, the catch comparison rate (CCR) and catch ratio (CR). Larger meshes produced selectivity curves shifted toward greater body lengths, and the deformation of the net panels induced by the tie-down structure led to distinctly broad selection ranges. These patterns indicate that retention probability is influenced by both the geometric mesh – body relationship and the mechanical distortion of the netting. Relative efficiency analyses confirmed the superior performance of larger meshes for capturing larger individuals although overall catch declined as mesh size increased. The results clarify the selective properties inherent to tie-down gillnets and provide scientifically grounded information that may support the development of mesh-size regulations, bycatch mitigation approaches, and resource management strategies for coastal gillnet fisheries.
This study develops a scientific fishing-ground exploration framework for the Korean large purse-seine fishery, where traditional experience-based searching has become increasingly unreliable under rapid climate variability. AIS-derived fishing locations from 2021 to 2023 were integrated with HYCOM-based temperature and salinity fields and MODIS-Aqua chlorophyll-a data to construct a unified environmental – fishing dataset. After multicollinearity screening and principal component analysis, temperature and salinity at 30 m depth and chlorophyll-a were selected as representative predictors. Using these variables, a generalized additive model (GAM) with background-sampled pseudo-absence data and monthly maximum entropy (MaxEnt) models were developed to quantify nonlinear habitat – environment relationships and predict monthly and seasonal mackerel fishing occurrences. Model performance was evaluated using independent data from 2024. GAM exhibited relatively stable predictive performance across months with generally high AUC and TSS values whereas MaxEnt showed pronounced seasonal variability and was effective in identifying potential habitat structures based on presence-only environmental conditions. Spatial predictions from both models showed good agreement with observed fishing-ground distributions during specific seasons, reproducing high-suitability zones associated with seasonal thermal – salinity fronts and productivity gradients. These results provide insights into the environmental mechanisms governing purse-seine fishing grounds and demonstrate the complementary roles of GAM for operational prediction and MaxEnt for potential habitat exploration.
This study examined the relationships between acoustic activity of the finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) and marine environmental variables in Hadong, in the southern coast of Korea, using long-term passive acoustic monitoring. Acoustic data were collected with a hydrophone (F-POD) from July 8 to August 16 2023, and acoustic indices (DPM, DP10M, and click-based metrics) were integrated with in situ observations and model analysis environmental data. Generalized additive models indicated that chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen were the main predictors of acoustic activity whereas physical oceanographic variables (temperature, salinity, and sea surface height) had no significant effects. Chlorophyll-a showed a strong non-linear positive effect with finless porpoise activity increasing rapidly up to approximately 2 mg/m³ and then reaching a plateau. Dissolved oxygen exhibited a negative linear relationship, implying indirect ecological effects mediated by prey availability. In addition, current velocity was negatively related to click intensity. These results indicate that finless porpoise habitat use is more closely associated with productivity-related factors than with physical conditions. This research offers quantitative insights into prey-driven habitat selection, supporting the development of management and bycatch mitigation strategies.
Fish vocalization and diel variation patterns of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) and bluefin gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) were investigated using passive acoustic monitoring at a sea-cage facility off Tongyeong, Korea. Autonomous recordings were collected from February 3 to 15, 2023 (Pacific cod) and from September 19 to October 2, 2025 (bluefin gurnard). Power spectral density (PSD) was used to quantify spectral structure and diel variability, and pulse-based grunt detection was applied to time vocal events. For both species, dominant spectral energy occurred below 1 kHz, concentrated at 0.1 – 0.5 kHz for Pacific cod and 0.1 – 0.8 kHz for bluefin gurnard. Pacific cod exhibited a pattern of consistently increasing acoustic activity throughout the night. Bluefin gurnard activity was primarily restricted to approximately 2 hours after sunset and sunrise, exhibiting relatively low chorus signals. The SPL were approximately 107-125 dB re 1 μPa for Pacific cod and approximately 103 – 110 dB re 1 μPa for bluefin gurnard. Based on the diel variation pattern, high-activity (22:00 – 06:00 KST) and low-activity (10:00 – 18:00 KST) phases were defined, and empirical probability density profiles summarized frequency-dependent distribution shifts between phases. The acoustic characteristics and diel variation patterns of the two fish species' sounds will help manage fishery resources and identify spawning and fishing grounds.
This study collected video data on live fish unloading operations on coastal fishing vessels using video observation. The work was analyzed using a hierarchical analysis method, leading to the following conclusions. The overall objective, live fish unloading, was found to consist of four secondary objectives. The number of tasks, time, and personnel required per container water tank for live fish (CWTLF) were 147, approximately seven minutes, and 1.12 people, respectively. In particular, the task of transporting catches from fishing holds to CWTLF was estimated to pose the greatest risk of safety accidents and musculoskeletal hazards due to the repetitive movement of heavy loads. In the case of improvement to the live fish tank proposed in this study, it was estimated that the required number and time of tasks per 1 CWTLF would be reduced by 130 seconds and 88.4%, and 361 seconds and 77.8%, respectively. In the future, this study is expected to serve as basic data for improving the fishing environment necessary to decrease the workload of coastal fishing vessel crews, decrease safety accidents and factors harmful to the musculoskeletal system, and ultimately improve the labor-intensive fishing system of Korea's coastal fishing vessels.
This study identifies the limitations of the current medical training system for seafarers, which fails to account for the distinct accident characteristics of merchant and fishing vessels, and proposes practical improvements aligned with international conventions such as STCW and STCW-F. The research methodology involves a comparative analysis of domestic and international regulations alongside a review of 55 maritime accident written judgments from 2024 to 2025 to identify vessel-specific risk factors. Furthermore, a survey of 220 seafarers was conducted to empirically verify differences in first-aid competencies and perceptions using statistical analysis. The findings reveal a stark contrast in accident mechanisms: merchant vessels primarily experienced system-driven accidents, such as asphyxiation in enclosed spaces (63.6%) whereas fishing vessels showed an overwhelming prevalence of severe trauma, including entrapment and amputation caused by machinery (72.7%). Despite completing identical statutory training, fishing vessel personnel exhibited significantly lower proficiency in equipment utilization and basic first-aid skills compared to merchant seafarers (p < 0.001). Additionally, both groups demonstrated insufficient proficiency in advanced medical care and remote medical collaboration. The analysis further indicates that current domestic curricula omit several core subjects required by international standards and lack differentiation due to overlapping content. Based on these findings, this study proposes three key improvements: the introduction of customized curricula that emphasize professional equipment operation for merchant vessels and intensive practical trauma care for fishing vessels; the supplementation of missing subjects to align with international standards including the elevation of Radio Medical Advice (RMA) to a mandatory subject; and a transition from theory-oriented education toward a field-oriented practical training and qualification system. These measures are expected to solidify the maritime healthcare safety net by aligning training with empirical accident data and international standards.
Brushless excitation systems are widely used in marine synchronous generators due to their high reliability and reduced maintenance requirements. In these systems, the rotating rectifier converts the three-phase AC output of the exciter into DC current for the main field winding. However, faults in the rotating rectifier, particularly a single diode open-circuit fault, can degrade excitation performance without immediately triggering protective devices, making early detection difficult. This paper experimentally investigates the effects of a single rotating rectifier diode open-circuit fault on the excitation system and voltage formation of a brushless synchronous generator under no-load operating conditions. The no-load condition minimizes the influence of armature reaction and load current, allowing fault-induced excitation behavior to be clearly isolated. A brushless excitation system was implemented using three synchronous machines of identical rating, and a single diode open-circuit fault was intentionally introduced in the rotating rectifier. Excitation-related electrical quantities related to the excitation system, including DC excitation current and voltage, exciter armature currents, and generator terminal voltage, were measured and compared before and after the fault. Experimental results demonstrate that the single diode open-circuit fault causes reduction in the average excitation current and introduces low-frequency ripple components in the excitation current waveform while the terminal voltage reduction remains limited under no-load conditions. These results indicate that excitation-related electrical signals can serve as effective indicators for the detection of rotating rectifier diode faults in brushless synchronous generators.