• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.400-409
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to examine annual changes of coastal fisheries production in the shore of Jeonbuk Province in Korea. The catch data of an experimental vessel that used dredge nets were used to study fish species and catch per unit of fishing effort carried out from April 2002 to November 2004. The total number of fish species caught in 2002 was 23, and 15 in 2004. Total number of individuals were 6,008 and their total weight was 376.38 kg in 2002. In 2004, total number of fishes was 2,469, and their weight was 211.99 kg. The annual changes in fisheries production in the western coast of Korea were also analyzed from 1990 to 2007. The total near shore fisheries products in Korea has been relatively stable around 1,4000,000 metric tons to 1,8000,000 tons during this period. Similarly the Chungnam Province's annual fish catch had steadily risen from about 51,187 tons in 1990 to 85,637 tons in 2007. However, Jeonbuk Province's annual fish catch declined dramatically at around 133, 000 tons in 1990 to 45,000 tons in 2007. In summery, while the overall Korea's fisheries production has been stable over the past decade, that of Jeonbuk Province suffered drastic decline in the period. This decline was reflected in the decreased number of fish species, total individuals, and total catch in surverys performed with an experimental vessel.