As a child, I learned how to dive for seafood even before going to school to study. I started diving for sea products when I was 18 and moved to Dongil-ri of Jeju Island after my marriage.
In the past, the sea near Dongil-ri was abundant with seafood, and conches were a staple catch. During a single dive, I frequently caught several abalones, each weighing over a kilo. However, these days, the daily catch of conches that I used to bring in, which exceeded 300 kg, has been cut down by half. Not only abalones but sea cucumbers are also hard to come by.
When the wind is calm and the waves are gentle, I try to venture out to the deeper sea to harvest some seafood, but I had to turn back several times feeling fearful for my life because of dolphins.
Honestly, I prefer diving for seafood rather than working in the fields because it is kinder to my back, and I can make more money. I want to keep diving for 10 more years, but I worry that even that will be difficult as the ocean environment becomes more desolate due to climate change and environmental damage.
It is my hope that not only our generation, but also future generations will be able to dive for sea products in richer marine environments and carry on our proud haenyeo heritage.