South Korea Explores Squid Fishing Grounds in Kenya to Address Domestic Shortages

 South Korea Explores Squid Fishing Grounds in Kenya to Address Domestic Shortages

The South Korean government has initiated efforts to explore squid fishing grounds off the coast of Kenya, seeking to address a domestic scarcity of squid. This strategic move aims not only to boost the income of local fishermen but also to stabilize the prices of squid within the country. Additionally, the Kenyan fishing grounds present an opportunity as a relatively undiscovered and pristine area, potentially avoiding the issues of illegal fishing often associated with other regions.

• The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries collaborates with the Kenyan government in a project that involves sending Korean pelagic fishing vessels to Kenya's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to catch squid, crabs, and cutlassfish.
• The project, if successful, marks the first instance of South Korean fishing boats operating in East Africa, focusing on nearshore fishing vessels due to maritime regulations.
• Former Chairman Kim Sung-ho initiated the project after discovering South Korean fishing vessels unintentionally catching squid in Kenya. Due diligence confirmed the viability of squid fishing in Kenyan waters for approximately eight months a year.
• The squid caught in Kenya belongs to the 'flesh squid' variety, commonly consumed in Korea for sashimi, dip, and soup.
• Domestic squid shortages have led to increased imports, and Kenya's fishing grounds could potentially yield 30,000 to 40,000 tons of squid annually, providing a substantial boost to South Korea's squid supply.
• Talks with the Kenyan government involve sending a pilot fishing vessel to assess the feasibility and abundance of squid in Kenyan waters.
• The relatively undiscovered nature of Kenya's squid fishery is seen as an advantage, reducing the risk of illegal fishing, especially by Chinese vessels known for "plundering" major fishing grounds.

Challenges and Cautions:

• The government remains cautious, considering past unsuccessful attempts to survey squid fishing grounds in Russian waters.
• Identifying Kenyan fishing grounds may take time, and a full-scale operation might not commence for two to three years, as per officials from the Ministry of Oceans and Atmospheres.

Outlook and Optimism:

• Despite caution, proponents of the project, including Kim Sung-ho, express optimism, suggesting that a successful pilot project could lead to immediate full-scale operations by the second half of the year.

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