Gyeonggi-do Cracks Down on Illegal Activities Including 'Use of Hydrofluoric Acid' in Kim Aquaculture Farms

Gyeonggi Province will crack down on illegal activities at Gim (seaweed) farms.

Gyeonggi Province announced that from December 12 this year to April 18 next year, a joint crackdown involving the provincial government, city and county governments, and the Coast Guard will be conducted on illegal activities such as the unauthorized use of inorganic acid (hazardous chemical substances) at Gim farms within the province.

The province decided to carry out the crackdown to eradicate illegal activities, anticipating that such acts would become rampant during the winter season when Gim harvesting intensifies.

The crackdown targets a total of 66 Gim farms in the province, including 48 in Hwaseong City and 18 in Ansan City.

The main focus of the crackdown includes ▲ illegal use of inorganic acid at Gim farms ▲ unlicensed aquaculture operations ▲ violations related to the use of management vessels ▲ acts of allowing others to control licensed aquaculture farms or exercising such control ▲ installation of aquaculture facilities outside licensed areas, among others.

A Gyeonggi Province inspector is checking for illegal activities at a seaweed farm. Provided by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

In particular, inorganic acid is known to have greater effects in preventing Gim diseases and removing foreign substances compared to organic acids (active treatment agents) legally permitted for use in Gim aquaculture. However, it can cause serious harm if accumulated in the human body. It is highly toxic and does not dissolve well in seawater, thereby polluting the marine environment.

Inorganic acid is classified as a hazardous chemical substance and is prohibited from use under the Fisheries Resource Management Act. While most Gim farmers in Gyeonggi Province use organic acids, some are still caught illegally using inorganic acid.

Gyeonggi Province plans to take immediate legal and administrative actions without exception against any illegal activities detected during this joint crackdown, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

Kim Bong-hyun, Director of the Marine Fisheries Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The illegal use of inorganic acid at Gim farms undermines trust in Gyeonggi Province’s Gim. We will strictly punish such acts under a zero-tolerance policy to establish a reliable and trustworthy Gim aquaculture industry in Gyeonggi Province."