cultural heritage, female divers, haenyeo, jeju island, sea diving, south korea, sustainable harvesting

Haenyeo: The Tenacious South Korean Mermaid Divers

The Haenyeo, directly translated as “sea women,” represents a unique and storied tradition in the coastal towns of Jeju Island, South Korea. For centuries, these skilled divers have played a key role in catching fresh seafood, supporting their families, and fueling the economy. What sets the Haenyeo apart from other divers is their remarkable free-diving ...