RETURN OF ANCHOVY CATCHING SEASON

[Anchor Lead]

With spring festivals in Korea being postponed one by one because of the coronavirus pandemic, enjoying spring to the fullest has been difficult. An anchovy catching season is in full swing on the southern coast of the nation. Fishing boats are returning to the ports full with big catches of anchovies.

[Pkg]

​It's still dark outside, but fishermen get ready to set sail. At daybreak, their workday begins in earnest. They skillfully toss a drift net more than a kilometer in length. When the net is lifted an hour later, it's full of shimmering anchovies. After about four hours of fishing, the boat is loaded with 200 boxes of fish each weighing 30kg. Anchovies caught in spring are larger in size than an adult's finger. After a rewarding day, the fishermen return to the port. When the boat arrives, the fish are shaken out of the nets. The port is full of life and excitement for the first time in a while as fishermen cheerfully shake out the anchovies.

[Soundbite] LEE SANG-WON(CHEONGJU RESIDENT) : "It's good to see the port being full of energy and the fishermen working hard."

About 60 tons of anchovies are caught daily in waters off Geojedo Island. This year's catch is not bad, but prices of anchovies are falling due to low consumption stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

[Soundbite] KONG SUNG-TAEK(FISHING BOAT CAPTAIN) : "The peak season is between mid-April and late May. Anchovies are the largest during this time of year. Their flesh is firm and they taste the best."

The anchovy catching season on the southern coast of Korea will continue through June.