Jeollanam-do to Release High-Value Aquatic Seeds Through December

14.74 Million Aquatic Seeds Including Black Sea Bream and Abalone
Released Along the Coasts of 14 Cities and Counties to Boost Fishermen's Incomes

Releasing sea cucumbers in the waters near Jeongdori, Wando, Jeollanam-do. Provided by Jeollanam-do

Jeollanam-do will invest 2.1 billion won this year to release 14.74 million aquatic seeds along the coasts of 14 cities and counties within the province, aiming to restore marine resources and increase fishermen's incomes.

The released species include 15 high value-added varieties suitable for the characteristics of the local coasts, such as black sea bream, whiteleg shrimp, blue crab, abalone, and sea cucumber. The releases will be carried out sequentially by December, in accordance with the ecological cycles of each species.

Since 1988, Jeollanam-do has been implementing the aquatic seed release project. By 2024, the province had invested 43 billion won to release 560 million healthy, high-quality seeds of species that are both suitable for the region and have high added value, making a significant contribution to the creation of fishery resources and the increase of fishermen's incomes.

In particular, since 2007, Jeollanam-do has been consistently conducting scientific analyses of the effectiveness of the releases by commissioning the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency to carry out studies on the effects of releases by coastal area and species.

According to the survey results, the release project has resulted in increases of 2.61 times for olive flounder, 2.97 times for abalone, 1.38 times for whiteleg shrimp, 1.45 times for sea cucumber, 1.47 times for yellow croaker, and 2.07 times for black sea bream. These figures demonstrate that the release of aquatic seeds has a direct and clear effect on increasing fishermen's incomes.

An official from Jeollanam-do stated, "The aquatic seed release project is a practical initiative to improve fishermen's incomes through scientific pre- and post-impact assessments and the release of high-quality species tailored to coastal characteristics," adding, "We will continue to fine-tune the timing and species of releases to maximize their effectiveness."

The province also plans to carry out projects such as the creation of sea forests and the installation of artificial reefs to restore the marine ecosystem and establish a sustainable foundation for the fisheries industry.