[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters (Jeju) Reporter Park Chang-won] Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on the 20th that it will operate a joint task force with related organizations to handle the massive influx of Sargassum horneri along the Jeju coast.
It has been investigated that the Sargassum horneri, presumed to have originated from the eastern coast of China (Shandong Peninsula and Bohai Bay), is being massively carried to the Jeju coast due to ocean currents and wind effects.
Accordingly, the province plans to form three response teams led by the Director of the Marine Fisheries Bureau and systematically respond with rapid collection of the incoming Sargassum horneri until the situation is resolved.
The provincial response team will oversee daily situation management and role allocation among related organizations, while the on-site response teams composed of administrative city and eup/myeon/dong units will be responsible for the rapid collection and processing of Sargassum horneri on site.
Additionally, the National Institute of Fisheries Science, a related organization within the province, will conduct surveillance and damage prevention activities for Sargassum horneri, and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation and Korea Fisheries Infrastructure Public Corporation will urgently deploy their cleaning vessels and fishing port management ships to support marine collection activities.
On the same day, Jeju Province held a countermeasure meeting related to Sargassum horneri at the Marine Fisheries Bureau conference room with participation from related organizations, dividing roles by institution and discussing efficient handling plans to actively respond to the Sargassum horneri issue.
Since the previous day, Jeju Province, with support from the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, has urgently deployed two cleaning vessels including the Cheonghang ship to Jeju Port and other locations to begin full-scale collection operations, and plans to deploy additional vessels within this week for large-scale collection efforts.
Furthermore, a significant amount of Sargassum horneri has been confirmed to have flowed into coastal areas and beaches, so available personnel and equipment, including early deployment of sea environment guardians, will be mobilized to collect it promptly.
Yang Hong-sik, Director of the Marine Fisheries Bureau of Jeju Province, said, “Every year, damage such as safety accidents occurs due to the influx of China-origin Sargassum horneri,” and added, “We will build a cooperative system with related organizations and make every effort in collection and support to minimize damage caused by Sargassum horneri.”
Meanwhile, Jeju Province plans to collect a total of 67 tons of Sargassum horneri this year, including 60 tons on land and 7 tons at sea, and provide it free of charge as compost to necessary farms.
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