Wando's 'Excellence of Eco-friendly Seaweed' Recognized by Australia

ASSA Industry Delegation Visits Wando Aquaculture Farms
Sharing Technical Information and Establishing R&D Collaboration System

As countries around the world are paying attention to Wando seaweed, the Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance (ASSA) industry delegation visited Wando.

According to Wando County on the 19th, 15 members of the ASSA industry delegation, including CEO Jo Kelly, recently visited Wando seaweed farms and related facilities.

The ASSA industry delegation, an Australian seaweed-related organization, visited Wando to share seaweed technology information. Provided by Wando County

The ASSA industry delegation operates businesses utilizing aquaculture and seaweed as feed, and is composed of marine industry professionals such as university professors and researchers affiliated with marine science societies. This visit was conducted with support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It was arranged to share information on aquaculture technology and to establish a research and development cooperation system related to seaweed between Korea and Australia.

The industry delegation received explanations on the overall seaweed industry, including fisheries and aquaculture technology, at the county office situation room, and toured seaweed farms for Hizikia fusiformis (tot), the Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Agency Marine Bio Research Center, the Jeonnam Marine Fisheries Science Institute Seed Research Center, and seaweed processing companies.

Jo Kelly, CEO of ASSA, said, “I was drawn to the eco-friendly seaweed farming methods and related businesses in Wando,” and added, “I hope this visit can help strengthen the competitiveness of the seaweed industries in both countries.”

Shin Woo-cheol, the mayor of Wando County, said, “The visit by the ASSA industry delegation is a great opportunity to widely promote the excellence and production system of Wando seaweed,” and added, “We will actively cooperate in research and development related to seaweed with Australia.”

Meanwhile, Wando County is the largest seaweed production area in the country, with kelp, Hizikia fusiformis (tot), and green laver accounting for more than 50% of the national production. It is the first in Korea to produce and manage seaweed such as kelp and Hizikia fusiformis with ASC certification. To respond to climate change and foster a sustainable seaweed industry, it is promoting the development and distribution of superior seaweed seeds and new varieties, while also nurturing the marine bioindustry.