🌿 Ocean Ecology & Sustainability — Haenyeo and Jeju’s Marine Conservation Legacy
Long before the word “sustainability” became a global trend, Jeju’s Haenyeo (women divers) were already living it. For centuries, these women have balanced their livelihood with ecological responsibility — diving into the sea not to take, but to coexist. Their traditional practices represent one of the earliest models of eco-feminism and marine stewardship in the world. Through respect, observation, and restraint, they’ve helped preserve Jeju’s ocean biodiversity for generations.
1️⃣ The Ocean as a Living Ecosystem
For the Haenyeo, the sea is not a resource — it is a living partner. They understand tides, coral health, and water clarity through daily immersion. Their intimate knowledge of marine ecosystems helps them detect environmental changes long before scientists do. When seaweed beds shrink or shellfish vanish, they adjust their diving schedules accordingly. This sensitivity to nature allows Jeju’s coastal ecosystems to self-recover, making the Haenyeo some of the most experienced community ecologists in Asia.
- 🌊 Observation skills: Identify water quality changes by color and current
- 🪸 Biodiversity care: Maintain natural coral and algae growth areas
- 🐟 Traditional motto: “Take less today, dive again tomorrow.”
2️⃣ Eco-Diving — Sustainability in Action
Unlike industrial fisheries, Haenyeo use an eco-diving method that protects marine species and ocean balance. They dive by hand without oxygen tanks or machines, using simple tools like taewak (float) and hwaet (net bag). Their code of ethics forbids catching young shellfish or overharvesting from the same spot. This approach prevents habitat destruction and allows the ocean to regenerate naturally. Haenyeo diving is therefore not only a cultural heritage — it’s a blueprint for modern sustainable fishing.
| Practice | Description | Environmental Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Diving | No oxygen tanks or machinery | Zero carbon emission and noise pollution |
| Size Regulation | Only harvest mature abalone and shellfish | Ensures population renewal |
| Zone Rotation | Alternate harvest zones by season | Allows ecosystem recovery |
3️⃣ Seaweed Regeneration & Marine Restoration
Haenyeo are crucial to Jeju’s seaweed forest preservation. Seaweed like Miyeok and Dashima play vital roles in absorbing CO₂ and supporting marine life. Haenyeo carefully cut rather than uproot them, promoting regrowth. In some coastal areas, retired divers now lead “marine forest restoration projects”, planting new seaweed and cleaning debris from the ocean floor. Their quiet activism contributes to Jeju’s reputation as one of Korea’s leading models of blue ecology — a system where community and environment thrive together.
- 🌿 Eco projects: Seaweed replanting along Hado-ri & Seongsan coast
- 🌎 Global relevance: Helps reduce marine carbon footprint
- 🌱 Partnerships: Local NGOs + Jeju National University
4️⃣ Protecting Coastal Biodiversity
Haenyeo understand that their survival depends on the health of coastal biodiversity. They actively protect spawning areas, coral reefs, and intertidal zones. By coordinating with local fisheries, they establish no-diving seasons that allow fish populations to recover. Their community also reports illegal fishing and plastic dumping incidents to authorities. This grassroots system of protection predates modern conservation policies — showing that local knowledge is the heart of sustainable ocean management.
| Protection Area | Haenyeo Practice | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Coral Reefs | No-anchor diving zones | Prevents reef breakage |
| Fish Spawning Areas | Seasonal diving restrictions | Restores fish populations |
| Seagrass Beds | Zero harvest rule | Improves CO₂ absorption capacity |
5️⃣ Pollution Awareness & Ocean Clean-Up
Modern challenges such as plastic waste, oil spills, and industrial runoff now threaten Jeju’s pristine waters. In response, Haenyeo associations organize regular coastal clean-up campaigns. Divers collect plastic nets, bottles, and fishing lines during their dives — turning daily work into a form of marine activism. Their hands, once harvesting abalone, now rescue ocean life from pollution. This movement has inspired Korean youth volunteers and eco-tourists to participate in ocean clean-up drives across Jeju and Busan coasts.
- 🧺 Monthly “Clean Ocean Day” led by Haenyeo cooperatives
- 🚯 Waste reduction campaign: “Dive, Don’t Discard”
- 💧 Support: Jeju Environment Foundation & Global Green Korea
6️⃣ Sustainable Tourism & Local Education
Jeju now promotes eco-tourism centered around Haenyeo traditions. Visitors can learn about sustainable diving, marine biodiversity, and responsible seafood consumption. Small-scale “eco-dive tours” and “Haenyeo storytelling cafés” connect travelers directly with divers, ensuring that tourism supports conservation. Local schools partner with Haenyeo cooperatives to teach environmental awareness, bridging culture, education, and sustainability into a unified mission.
- 📍 Eco-tour locations: Hado Village, Seongsan, and Udo Island
- 🎓 Educational partners: Jeju Marine Science Center, Haenyeo Museum
- 💡 Travel tip: Choose certified eco-tours supporting Haenyeo families
7️⃣ Haenyeo as Guardians of the Future
As the world faces climate change, the lessons of the Haenyeo have never been more relevant. Their lifestyle — grounded in patience, respect, and restraint — offers an alternative vision of progress. They remind us that sustainability is not technology alone, but empathy in action. By diving within limits and listening to the ocean, Haenyeo teach a truth our modern world often forgets: to protect nature is to protect ourselves. Their legacy endures not just in Jeju’s waves, but in the hearts of all who believe in the balance between people and planet.
