Alain Schroeder

Diving nageuses plongée Plongeon

Un mot sur l'oeuvre

Jeju island, known for its characteristic basalt volcanic rock, sits off South Korea. It is the home of the renowned Haenyeo or women of the sea who free dive off the black shores of Jeju harvesting delicacies from the sea. Wearing thin rubber suits and old fashioned goggles, this aging group of women are celebrated as a national treasure and inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, but the tradition is slowly fading as fewer women choose this extremely hazardous profession. Today, the majority of Haenyeo are over the age of 50 and many are well over 70. In a society obsessed with education, the future of this physically arduous activity would appear bleak, and yet… Efforts by the government and local communities to preserve and promote this ecological and sustainable lifestyle have brought renewed interest from young people disillusioned with urban life and eager to return to their roots. It is perhaps a renaissance.

Le témoignage d'Alain Schroeder

Wonja Kang, 83 years old comes from Myeonsu-dong village. There is no retirement age for Haenyeo. The vast majority of active Haenyeo are over the age of fifty with many over eighty. They are organised in categories, usually the oldest and more experienced divers go further out to sea and deeper and subsequently have the chance harvesting the more valuable catch. Oxygen tanks have been available for many years but the ecologically-minded Haenyeo continue to free dive to avoid over-fishing and to maintain the ocean’s resources. Ahead of their time for sustainable fishing.

Le choix de Jean-Denis