Introduction of Fish Seed Quality Labeling System... Pilot Operation from May

Fishermen Must Display Production and Quality Information

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 19th that it will conduct a pilot operation for three items?flatfish, abalone, and gim (seaweed)?starting from May this year, ahead of the implementation of the fishery seed quality labeling system in 2023.

The quality of fishery seeds greatly affects the productivity of aquaculture products, so systematic quality management of fishery seeds is important to supply healthy seeds. Once the fishery seed quality labeling system is introduced, fishermen must mandatorily label production information such as seed production permit numbers and production history of the fishery seeds they produce. Additionally, quality information prepared through the pilot operation must also be labeled and distributed.

Before the system is implemented, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will conduct a pilot operation of the fishery seed quality labeling system from next month until 2022 to reflect the opinions of the seed industry and to prepare specific quality labeling system introduction and implementation plans.

Considering the differences in agriculture and distribution characteristics, the system will be promoted as a "fishery-customized quality labeling system" reflecting distribution structure by seed type, production status, and characteristics by variety. First, fishery seeds such as fish that are distributed without packaging can have their quality labeled through the issuance of a quality labeling certificate by a designated operating institution. Fishery seeds distributed in packaging such as boxes or sacks will be labeled by attaching quality labeling stickers issued by the designated operating institution. The pilot operation targets are domestic major aquaculture fishery seed items: flatfish seeds (Jeju, Taean, etc.), abalone seeds (Wando), and gim seeds (Mokpo, etc.) produced by farming households. Participation applications can be made through the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency’s Fishery Seed Industry Promotion Center. For applying households, quality inspections on seed growth, deformity rates, diseases, etc. will be supported, and quality labeling certificates or stickers will be issued.

Heo Manwook, head of the Aquaculture Industry Division at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "With the introduction of the fishery seed quality labeling system, quality improvement of seeds as well as systematic quality management such as seed production history and supply-demand management will become possible."