Keep Jeju's Ocean Alive: Protect Its Defenders

Jeju’s seas are home to unique volcanic coastlines and rich marine biodiversity, making them a precious natural heritage recognized around the world. Yet beneath the surface, a hidden threat continues to endanger marine life: abandoned and lost fishing nets and ropes that become deadly traps through a phenomenon known as “ghost fishing.” Entangled around rocky reefs and resting on the seafloor, these discarded fishing gear can damage marine habitats and trap countless marine animals, including Jeju’s endangered Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and fish.

This fall, professional marine conservation activists continued their intensive efforts to remove these hidden threats from Jeju’s waters. On September 20, 2026, eight activists entered coastal reef areas and carefully retrieved 50 kg of tangled abandoned fishing nets. Then, on October 4, seven activists braved strong currents and deep waters to lift a large, submerged fishing net weighing 180 kg back to the surface. Across these two operations, a total of 230 kg of abandoned fishing gear was removed from the sea. 

For the people carrying out this work, 230 kg represents far more than a measure of waste. It means removing dozens of potentially deadly traps that could have continued to threaten marine life beneath the waves. 

Unlike ordinary coastal cleanups, removing abandoned fishing gear from the seafloor requires specialized diving skills, a deep understanding of underwater terrain, and appropriate safety equipment. The work can be physically demanding and dangerous, making the knowledge and experience of local activists essential to protecting Jeju’s marine environment. Yet many of these dedicated individuals continue to work in challenging financial circumstances, often putting their own livelihoods and safety at risk to protect the sea. 

K-Green Foundation is committed to helping these frontline activists stay in the field by providing stable funding for their activities, strengthening access to essential safety equipment, and building support networks that help prevent burnout. We believe that one of the most effective ways to protect nature is to protect the people who dedicate themselves to caring for it. 

Thanks to the support of donors like you, Jeju’s waters can breathe a little easier, freed from the deadly traps of ghost nets. Thank you for standing behind the people who work tirelessly to protect Jeju’s seas and the beautiful marine life they sustain.