A Study on Enhancements in the Fisheries Seed Production Industry Survey

This study aims to assess the overall status of the fisheries seed production industry survey and propose methodological improvements by conducting a comprehensive analysis of three years of survey data (2020–2022) from the fisheries seed production industry survey conducted since 2021. The fisheries seed production industry forms the foundation of aquaculture by artificially producing and supplying aquatic seeds—such as fertilized eggs, fry, and spat—to fish farms, playing a vital role in ensuring a stable seafood supply. The analysis revealed that out of 3,164 licensed businesses nationwide, only 1,533 (48.5%) were actively engaged in seed production. Regionally, the industry was concentrated in Jeollanam-do (55.8%) and Gyeongsangnam-do (15.9%). By category, shellfish accounted for 58.6% of total production, followed by fish (19.9%), indicating a shellfish-dominant industrial structure. Profitability analysis showed positive returns for laver (56.3%), shellfish (44.5%), and crustaceans (33.6%), whereas fish seed production reported a loss of -19.2%, revealing underlying structural issues. From a methodological perspective, this study suggests improvements, including the establishment of a more systematic population management framework, reduction of non-response rates, standardization of units by species category, and shortening the time gap between data collection and publication.