A Qualitative Ecosystem-based Assessment of Marsh Clam Sonteul Fishery in the Seomjin River, Korea

The Seomjin River traditional Sonteul fishery system for marsh clams (jaecheop) plays a key role in organically connecting the lifestyle of local residents, fishery resources, and the natural ecosystem in the estuary area. Its conservation value has been recognized, leading to its designation as a Nationally Important Fishery Heritage and its inscription as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), thereby gaining international recognition for its heritage value. This study applied the qualitative Tier 2 approach of the Integrated Fisheries Risk Assessment Method for Ecosystems (IFRAME) to evaluate the resilience and sustainability of the Seomjin River marsh clam sonteul fishery system. Indicators related to four management objectives -sustainability of fishery resources, biodiversity, habitat conservation, and socio-economic benefits- were analyzed. The Fishery Risk Index (FRI) of the clam fishery system was found to be located in the safe “green zone”, indicating that the fishery is being managed at a relatively appropriate and safe level. However, problems such as declining income due to reduced production caused by the decrease in clam resources were also identified. Therefore, to ensure sustainable resource use and ecosystem conservation management, dynamic conservation measures are required. Four categories of dynamic conservation strategies for the Seomjin River marsh clam sonteul fishery were proposed. To manage the fishery and its ecosystem more effectively, it is necessary to introduce an ecosystem-based fisheries management system and establish a regular monitoring framework for quantitative assessment.