A fishing boat docked at Guryongpo Port in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, is seen loaded with jellyfish on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
Fishing boats off the coast of Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, are returning with nets full — not of fish but of giant jellyfish.
In recent summers, the coastal city has been battling an invasion of Nomura’s jellyfish, a giant, venomous species that can grow up to 100 kilograms and wreak havoc on coastal fisheries. Their population has surged with rising sea temperatures, damaging fishing gear, reducing catches and threatening the safety of workers.
In response, Pohang launched a jellyfish buyback program on Aug.14, offering 300 won (22 cents) per kilogram to local fishers for every jellyfish hauled in. The city has allocated 150 million won for the initiative, which so far has collected over 313 metric tons of jellyfish.
A fishing boat docked at Guryongpo Port in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, is seen loaded with jellyfish and only a few fish on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
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