Suwon Urges Management of Jeju and Southern Coastal Aquaculture Farms in Preparation for Typhoon 'Jangmi'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The National Institute of Fisheries Science under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 10th that Typhoon No. 5 'Jangmi' is expected to approach the southern coast of Korea, urging thorough management of aquaculture farms in Jeju Island and the southern coast to prevent damage to facilities and cultured aquatic organisms.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, although the typhoon is currently small, it is moving northward with a central pressure of 992 hPa and maximum wind speeds near the center reaching up to 83 km/h. As it passes through the Korea Strait, strong winds and tropical moisture will affect the rainy front located over the southern sea, resulting in heavy rainfall.

Aquaculture farms located along the typhoon's path are at risk of damage from heavy rain, strong winds, and high waves, so proactive preventive measures are required.

During the recent rainy season, heavy downpours caused landslides and soil erosion, leaving the land in a very vulnerable state. Special caution is needed to prevent further damage caused by the typhoon accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain.

In particular, damage to aquaculture facilities caused by floating debris such as driftwood carried into the sea during the recent heavy rains is a concern, so thorough inspections and preparations must be made in advance.

At offshore cage aquaculture farms, nets and connecting ropes should be firmly secured, management vessels should be moved to land, and minor damages to cage nets should be thoroughly repaired and inspected beforehand, as strong winds can enlarge damaged areas and lead to the loss of cultured organisms.

For land-based tank aquaculture farms, facilities should be firmly fixed to withstand strong winds, inflow of low-salinity water caused by heavy rain should be blocked, and preparations should be made for power outages by storing sufficient clean culture water, checking emergency generators, and preparing oxygen supply devices (such as liquid oxygen) to cope with dissolved oxygen shortages.

At all aquaculture farms, it is advisable to stop feeding from before the typhoon approaches until it completely dissipates and the rearing environment improves.

Attention should be paid to disease infections in cultured organisms caused by external wounds, and if disease occurrence is suspected, timely measures should be taken by consulting the National Institute of Fisheries Science or the Fisheries Disease Control Center.

Additionally, after the typhoon dissipates, land-based tank aquaculture farms should supply sufficient clean seawater and promptly remove foreign substances such as sand and silt that have entered the tanks to prevent secondary disease infections caused by water pollution.

Choi Wanhyun, Director of the National Institute of Fisheries Science, said, "Please ensure thorough pre-typhoon inspections and reinforcements of aquaculture facilities to minimize typhoon damage, and above all, take every precaution to prevent human casualties."