Incheon City said on the 20th that it will push an additional support program worth a total of 4 billion won to ease the management burden on fishers struggling with a surge in international oil prices due to instability in the Middle East.
The main points of the additional support are as follows: ▲ support for eco-friendly, energy-saving equipment to replace aging fishing boat engines (12 vessels) ▲ support for equipment to build a fishing boat accident prevention system (114 units) ▲ support for insurance premiums for crew members and fishing boats (hulls) (2,275 vessels) ▲ support for distributing life jackets (3,739 units) ▲ distribution of biodegradable fishing gear to improve fishing ground environments (51 vessels) ▲ support for small-boat hoists (2 units).
Earlier this month, Incheon City also expanded its duty-free fuel support program for fisheries in response to the oil price surge stemming from the Middle East situation. It raised the existing tiered support criteria by boat size, expanding the support rate to as high as 15%, and increased the annual support cap to as much as 7 million won.
Accordingly, a total of 1.473 billion won will be invested this year (50% city funds, 50% county and district funds) to support about 1,078 fishing boats. ▲ For boats under 5 tons, the support rate will be raised from 12% to 15%, and the cap from 3 million won to 4 million won ▲ for boats 5 tons or more and under 10 tons, from 8% to 10%, and the cap from 5 million won to 6 million won ▲ for boats over 10 tons, from 6% to 8%, and the cap from 6 million won to 7 million won.
This additional support goes beyond simple expense reimbursement to focus on protecting fishers' lives and safety and creating a sustainable fishing environment.
Kim Ik-jung, head of the Incheon City Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, said, "We will continue to identify field-centered policies and actively support the management stability of fishers."