Shinan County's '1004 Oyster' Receives Korea's First ASC International Certification

Strengthening Global Competitiveness of "Eco-Friendly Seafood"

Shinan-gun in Jeollanam-do (Governor Park Wooriang) has officially obtained the ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) international certification for oyster varieties for the first time in Korea.

The ASC is an international non-profit organization established by the Netherlands-based Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and WWF Netherlands. It is an international certification system based on environmental protection and social responsibility, awarded to aquaculture farms and species that practice sustainable aquaculture.

Commemorative photo for export to Hong Kong in May last year. Provided by Sinan County

According to the county on the 18th, the 1004 Oyster ASC International Certification Ceremony will be held on the 19th with the participation of Governor Park Wooriang, the Shinan County Council, the certification body, and 20 aquaculture farmers of 1004 Oyster.

‘1004 Oyster,’ a representative aquaculture product of Shinan-gun, is produced using an exposed cultivation method that utilizes the clean tidal flats and tidal differences. This method respects the natural growth cycle of oysters and contributes to enhancing their freshness and quality.

In particular, as the gonads do not develop, the oysters can maintain consistent quality throughout the year, and they are recognized as a safe food product through thorough hygiene inspections and quality control.

The 1004 Oysters produced by four aquaculture farms in Jaeun-myeon were first harvested in October last year, generating an income of 100 million KRW through supply to domestic fine dining restaurants and hotels. Negotiations with buyers for export to Hong Kong and other markets are also underway, making exports possible in the first half of this year.

Governor Park Wooriang stated, “With the acquisition of ASC international certification for 1004 Oyster, we will establish a sustainable aquaculture environment and actively pioneer overseas markets by building a world-class brand trusted by domestic and international consumers.”