The Sea’s Haenyeo Women

For years, women on Jeju Island in South Korea have survived by diving into the ocean with just one breath to gather seaweed and shellfish. These haenyeo, or free-diving fishermen, represent a generations-old tradition of resilience, strength, and expertise. The Jeju Haenyeo Fisheries System was named a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2023, confirming the Haenyeo’s importance as stewards of marine biodiversity, sustainable harvesting methods, and a remarkable communal ethic. But beneath the waves, the Haenyeo face new difficulties as the seas warm and their population declines.