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Members of the Emergency Committee of Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock and Fisheries Groups Opposing South Korea's Accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) chant slogans strongly opposing the trade pact ahead of a press conference for a nationwide farmers' and fishers' rally in front of Cheong Wa Dae Sarangchae in Seoul on Oct. 15, 2026. /Yonhap News Agency

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will hold a series of consultations with fishers by seafood product category through the end of this year to gather their views on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The ministry announced Thursday that it would hold consultations by seafood product category and fisheries sector from Nov. 6 through year-end to hear fishers' concerns about the potential impact of CPTPP accession on the fishing industry and the challenges they face. The first meeting will be held Friday in Osong, focusing on the shrimp industry. Ministry officials will meet with representatives of shrimp farming and fishing operations to discuss industry issues and recommendations related to the CPTPP.

Following the initial meeting, the ministry plans to hold further consultations with producers of farmed seafood, including yellowtail, sea bream, scallops and sea squirts, as well as representatives of coastal, offshore and distant-water fisheries, to gather a broad range of views from the industry.

The consultations are a follow-up to the "Dialogue with Farmers and Fishers" chaired by the president on Oct. 26. During the meeting, fishing industry representatives raised concerns about potential losses from opening the seafood market under the CPTPP. They also called for the maintenance of fisheries subsidies and import restrictions on Japanese seafood, along with proactive measures to mitigate potential losses.

"It is important to fully understand what concerns the fishing industry has about the impact of the CPTPP and what difficulties are expected across different products and sectors," Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Hwang Jong-woo said.

"We will listen carefully to those working in the industry and work with fishers to find ways to minimize potential damage to the fisheries sector while strengthening its competitiveness."

                                                                                                         Lee Jeong-yeon