Fin-Tastic Earnings: Certification that Allows You to Earn $67,000 a Year Just By Slicing Fish

Heuksan Skate Slicing Technician
A private certification established by Shinan County
Establishment of a specialized school

The waters off Shinan County, Jeonnam, are a representative skate fishing ground. Skate is the 11th nationally important fishery heritage registered in the geographical indication system, receiving special treatment. The taste varies depending on how the skate is sliced. The problem is that it is not a fish that anyone can easily cut.

Skate is different from other fish in that it requires a lot of effort to trim and slice according to the standards for each part, and the arrangement and packaging of sliced skates are much more complicated. Even a master takes 30 to 40 minutes to slice one. However, the number of people specializing in cutting skates is only about 20; most are elderly, over 70.

Therefore, in 2021, Shinan County registered the Heuksan Skate Slicing Technician as a private certification with the Korea Vocational Ability Development Institute.

If you can slice skate, you can earn $200-300 per fish, a daily wage of $250-500, and if you are skilled, you can create a job with an annual salary of $67,000. It is said that you can even earn $840 a day during peak holiday seasons.

Shinan County has created a certification and established a specialized school for skate slicing. Shinan County, the Shinan County Tourism Association Heuksan Branch, and the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives opened a 6-month ‘Skate Slicing School’ for Heuksan residents in 2020.

A total of 49 students have graduated from the Heuksan Skate Slicing School, which is now in its fourth year, and 32 of them have obtained the beginner’s private certification. Shinan County Mayor Park Woon Ryang said, “Starting this year, applications from outside the region are possible, and students from Daegu and Gurye are applying, so its popularity is increasing yearly.”

Meanwhile, Shinan County owns 16 skate fishing boats in Heuksan, fishing with a total allowable catch (TAC) of 583 tons. It is making an annual sales of $5 million.

Heuksan skate is one of Korea’s most expensive fish species, costing $167-250 per fish weighing 11 lbs, and its demand is steadily increasing.

By. Han Ji Young