Jeju to provide subsidy for haenyeo
“Haenyeo,” the female divers on the southern island of Jeju, will receive a subsidy as the province strives to support and preserve their culture.
The life and culture of haenyeo were listed as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) last December.
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province established an ordinance to protect existing haenyeo and nurture a new generation of the female divers.
Haenyeo dive over 10-meters-deep into the sea without breathing gear and make a living by collecting shellfish and seaweed, such as abalone or sea urchins with their bare hands.
Though ages range from pre-teens to elderly women in their 90s, a large population of haenyeo is aging. As of 2016, there were 4,005 working haenyeo and 57.3 percent of them are over 70 years old. Only 58 of them, or 1.5 percent, are under 40.
To make the dwindling culture of female free divers more sustainable, the provincial government will provide pensions for the elderly haenyeo and subsidies for their protege.
According to the ordinance, haenyeo should be registered to the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives and capture marine products at a fisheries area designated for haenyeo.
To help preserve the unique culture, haenyeo over 70 years old will receive a 200,000 won monthly pension and newly registered haenyeo under 40 years old will receive 500,000 won per month as settlement aid.