Typology of Fishing Grounds for Communal Fisheries Business in Korea: A Statistical Approach
2025
Ji Eun An | Chang Mo Ma
This study statistically classifies Korea&rsquo:s communal fishing grounds (Maeul-Eojang) to inform tailored fisheries policy. We applied principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce 17 socio-economic and demographic indicators into five core factors, followed by K-means clustering to derive distinct types. The methodology was validated using Kaiser&ndash:Meyer&ndash:Olkin and Bartlett&rsquo:s tests. Five communal fishery types were identified, ranging from well-managed, high-income communities to those in severe decline. The results show that about half of fishing communities fall into a &ldquo:post-fishery&rdquo: type with diminishing membership and income, while a quarter maintain robust fisheries through diversification. The typology is compared with previous fishing village classifications, and we discuss policy recommendations for each type&mdash:including co-management, tourism support, and targeted aid for declining communities. This research provides an empirical foundation for improving communal fisheries governance and sustaining coastal livelihoods.
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