01Excessive Noise & Conversation
Speaking loudly or playing music at the fishing spot stimulates fish sensory nerves and sharply reduces activity. According to research by the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS), continuous noise above 30 dB reduces fish feeding search speed by more than 40 % at depths of 2 m or less.
The principle is that sound waves traveling through water confuse the fish’s lateral line system, making it harder to distinguish food from predators. Therefore, a quiet environment allows fish to behave naturally.
In practice, wear earplugs, keep conversation to a minimum, and avoid using radios or speakers. Noise is especially sensitive during dawn and dusk tides, so extra caution is needed.
- Loud Voices When you talk loudly, nearby fish become stressed and the tide window shortens
- The impact noise from the rod and reel colliding is also considered noise
02Illegal Rigs & Permit Violations
Closed seasons and minimum size limits vary by region and year. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Fisheries Information Center prohibits fishing for certain species (e.g., olive flounder, Korean rockfish) and at certain depths (30 m or less) during closed seasons.
Using an electric reel without a permit or employing hooks or holes of unauthorized size reduces fish recovery ability and raises the risk of population decline. This can lower fish reproductive success by more than 15 %.
The countermeasure is to check the latest notices on the relevant provincial Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries or fisheries information portal before the trip and use only permitted rigs. Fines vary by region, so verify in advance.
03Unauthorized Litter & Waste Disposal
Discarding leftover plastic bottles and fishing line after a trip causes a rapid rise in underwater micro‑plastic concentration. According to Korea Coast Guard data, an average of 5 kg of plastic enters each coastal km² per year.
Plastic accumulates in fish digestive systems, inhibiting growth and weakening immunity. Young fish 0–30 cm are especially vulnerable, ingesting up to 2 % of their body weight, which can be lethal.
On site, always carry a trash bag and place used fishing line in a dedicated recycling container. Even small fragments left in the water lead to long‑term water‑quality degradation and habitat destruction.
04Excessive Filming & Disturbance
When filming fishing scenes with smartphones or drones, camera flashes and rotating motors disrupt fish visual and auditory perception. A study by the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) found that each flash second increases fish avoidance response by 3 %.
A drone flying at low altitude (30 m or less) distorts surface waves, hindering fish feeding searches. Large fish are especially sensitive to vibrations within 5 m.
If filming is necessary, turn off the flash and keep the drone at an altitude of at least 50 m with a stationary flight. After filming, wait at least 10 minutes until fish have recovered normally.
05Indiscriminate Fish Release & Restoration
Randomly releasing caught fish into other areas can spread pathogens to populations with different habitats. NIFS research reports that transmission of non‑native pathogens reduces local fish survival rates to below 12 %.
Especially at water temperatures of 15–20 °C and depths of 20–40 m, releases trigger competition with native fish, decreasing growth rates by more than 10 %.
The countermeasure is to limit releases to designated fish‑protection zones, chill and store caught fish immediately, and deliver them to an authorized restoration center. Even when release is permitted, it must be done only within the same temperature and depth range.
- Check Water Temperature & Depth Before Release
- Contact Local Restoration Center
- Illegal releases may incur fines