Key Facts 

The Jukbangryeom system provides reliable seasonal income and food security for coastal communities through the selective harvesting of anchovy and the maintenance of local processing industries. Its passive structure eliminates the need for fuel, nets, or vessels, drastically reducing operational costs and environmental impacts while allowing small-scale fishers to remain economically viable. 

Anchovy is central to Korean cuisine and local food traditions, and the system supports a steady supply of this key resource. Beyond fishing, women-led cooperatives play a vital role in post-harvest processing, particularly in drying and preserving anchovy. These micro-enterprises provide employment, strengthen household economies, and reinforce the cultural identity of the region. 

The fishery’s integration with local food markets and gastronomy—especially through dried anchovy products and seafood dishes—extends the economic value chain while maintaining affordability and nutritional relevance. This year-round, low-input, community-managed system is critical to rural resilience in the face of demographic and environmental shifts. 

Agrobiodiversity  

Though rooted in fishing rather than farming, the Jukbangryeom system contributes to the conservation of aquatic biodiversity through its non-intrusive, highly selective fishing method. The weirs allow migratory and non-target species to pass unharmed, and the structure integrates organically with the tidal ecosystem, avoiding disruption of benthic habitats. 

No nets, chemicals, bait, or artificial inputs are used. This not only minimizes ecological pressure but also helps maintain the balance of marine food webs and supports species regeneration. The fixed installations create microhabitats for smaller organisms, promoting nutrient cycling and providing temporary refuge in the dynamic tidal zone. 

The system also reduces pressure on overexploited stocks and avoids the typical bycatch and habitat degradation associated with industrial fishing. In doing so, it acts as a buffer that contributes to regional marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource use, reinforcing the ecological value of traditional knowledge. 

Local and traditional knowledge systems  

The construction and operation of the Jukbangryeom require generations of accumulated knowledge about tidal dynamics, seasonal fish migration, bamboo durability, and local marine ecosystems. Builders must understand precise tidal flow patterns to orient the V-shaped bamboo fences correctly and time construction and repairs according to seasonal cycles. 

Trap design, including spacing and angle, is informed by empirical observation and environmental cues. Bamboo selection is guided by criteria such as flexibility, buoyancy, and resistance to saltwater. Fishers rely on their profound ecological knowledge to avoid disrupting fish reproduction cycles, carefully timing their harvests to avoid immature anchovy and ensure generational renewal. Their ancestral calendars help them anticipate peak anchovy migration periods. All of this is passed down orally within families and communities. 

Beyond technical know-how, the fishery is managed through customary rules and informal agreements that promote cooperation, avoid conflict, and protect resources. Knowledge is transmitted through shared labor, mentorship, and cultural events, embedding ecological wisdom in daily life and reinforcing community-based stewardship of marine resources. 

Cultures, value systems, and social organization  

The Jukbangryeom system is deeply rooted in the coastal culture of the Jijok Straits, where fishing is more than a livelihood—it is a way of life. The practice reflects values of harmony with nature, moderation in resource use, and respect for ancestral wisdom. Men traditionally manage the construction and maintenance of the weirs, while women lead the anchovy processing and drying activities, highlighting a gendered yet complementary division of labor. 

Cultural events, local cuisine, and storytelling reinforce community bonds and intergenerational knowledge transfer. The prominence of anchovy in local dishes and the rituals surrounding its harvest give symbolic meaning to daily work. Annual gatherings and seafood festivals provide moments of cultural reaffirmation and visibility, showcasing the system's role in shaping regional identity. 

Community-based organizations and cooperatives oversee the management of fishing rights, seasonal coordination, and marketing. These structures not only regulate sustainable use but also embody principles of equity and mutual support. The continued vitality of these social arrangements is essential for the integrity and future of the system. 

Landscapes and seascapes features  

The Jukbangryeom system shapes a distinctive coastal seascape where natural dynamics and human ingenuity intersect. The V-shaped weirs extend into the tidal waters, blending seamlessly with the rhythm of the tides and forming striking geometric patterns visible from the surrounding cliffs and shores. These structures not only function as fish traps but also stand as cultural markers, symbolizing human adaptation to the sea. 

The broader landscape includes rocky headlands, tidal flats, and traditional coastal villages with drying racks, anchovy processing huts, and bamboo workshops. These built and natural features are intimately connected, forming a living, working seascape where ecological function and cultural meaning coexist. 

This integration of sea, land, and community creates a harmonious environment where fishing, processing, and cultural expression unfold in unison. The result is a visually compelling and ecologically sound system that embodies the principles of resilience, sustainability, and place-based heritage. The system defines the cultural seascape of the Jijok Straits, where V-shaped fences stretch into the tidal waters, guiding fish into wooden traps. The surrounding landscape includes rocky coasts, drying racks, fishing huts, and traditional villages integrated with marine activity. The visible geometry of the weirs echoes a philosophy of coexistence with nature, creating a harmonious blend of productivity, aesthetics, and ecological balance. 

Challenges  

The Jukbangryeom system faces increasing pressures from environmental change, economic shifts, and social transformation. Rising sea temperatures and changing tidal patterns affect anchovy migration and trap effectiveness. Urbanization and coastal development threaten both the integrity of fishing zones and the transmission of traditional practices. 

Economic pressures, including competition from industrial fisheries and declining fish prices, make it difficult for small-scale operators to remain viable. Youth outmigration and an aging population limit generational renewal, weakening the social structures that uphold the system. Moreover, the physical maintenance of bamboo traps is labor-intensive and knowledge-dependent, risking discontinuation if no incentives or apprenticeships are in place. 

Preserving the Jukbangryeom system requires policy support, cultural recognition, and adaptive innovation. This includes documenting traditional knowledge, supporting women’s cooperatives, securing coastal zones from encroachment, and promoting eco-cultural tourism to raise awareness and diversify income. With the right investment, this unique heritage system can continue to thrive as a model of sustainable, small-scale marine resource use.