Goheung Yeojaman Mudflat Newly Designated as Wetland Protection Area

15th Coastal Wetland Protection Area in Korea, Rich in Marine Vegetation Diversity

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Young-min) announced on the 5th that 59.43㎢ of the Goheung Yeoja Bay mudflat has been newly designated and announced as a wetland protection area by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

Wetland protection areas are a type of marine protected area with high marine ecological conservation value, requiring systematic preservation and management, and are managed by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and local governments.

The Goheung Yeoja Bay mudflat is not only a major habitat for marine protected species such as the white-clawed fiddler crab and the endangered first-class wild animal, the yellow-billed egret, but also has a total of 4,188㎡ of marine vegetation including reeds, meeting the designation criteria for wetland protection areas (over 0.01㎢), and was recognized for its ecological value, being designated last December as the 15th coastal wetland protection area in Korea.

An official from Goheung-gun stated, "This wetland protection area could be designated thanks to the interest and cooperation of the residents and fishermen." He added, "We will establish a management plan for the Goheung mudflat wetland protection area and promote various projects to systematically preserve and manage the Goheung mudflat so that the Yeoja Bay mudflat can be registered as the second expansion of Korea’s mudflat World Natural Heritage."

Meanwhile, including the Goheung mudflat, the number of marine conservation areas in Korea will increase to a total of 34, consisting of 15 coastal wetland protection areas, 16 marine ecosystem protection areas, 2 marine organism protection areas, and 1 marine landscape protection area.

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo hss79@asiae.co.kr