Establishment and Operation of Jeju Island Fishermen’s Associations during the Japanese Colonial Era

This study examines the establishment and operation of Jeju Island fishermen’s associations during the Japanese colonial era. Fishermen’s associations began to be established under the Joseon Fishery Ordinance and the Fishermen’s Associations Rule promulgated by the Japanese Government General of Korea in 1912, and the number of fishermen’s associations had since increased to approximately 200 by 1942. The first fishermen’s association established in Jeju Island is Woljeong-ri Fishermen’s Association in Woljeong-ri, Gujwa-myeon in 1916. The association was founded by Park Seong-il and other villagers as the anchovy fishery in Woljeong-ri had the largest catch in Jeju Island. Later, the Chuja-do Fishermen’s Association was established in 1919; the Jeju Island Haenyeo’s Association in 1920; and the Seogwi Fishermen’s Association in 1925. The 1929 promulgation of the Joseon Fishery Ordinance led to the establishment of myeon-unit fishermen’s associations in Jeju Island in the 1930s. Members of fishermen’s associations in Jeju Island protested against the tyranny of fishermen’s associations, as seen in the 1926 uprising by fishermen from the Chuja-do Fishermen’s Association and the 1932 anti-Japanese movement by haenyeo from the Jeju Island Fishermen’s Association. The study on Jeju Island fishermen’s associations will provide an opportunity to learn about the modern history of Jeju Island through fishermen’s associations.