Changwon Special City Releases Young Rockfish to Restore Fishery Resources

382,000 Young Rockfish Released into Four Coastal Areas Including Wonjeon in Masanhappo-gu

Changwon Special City in South Gyeongsang Province released approximately 382,000 young rockfish into four coastal areas within its jurisdiction to restore depleted fishery resources and increase productivity, thereby boosting the income of local fishermen.

Changwon Special City Releases Young Rockfish to Restore Marine Resources.

The release, which took place on May 16, was carried out to create marine resources and restore the coastal ecosystem. The operation was conducted using fishing vessels in the waters off Wonjeon and Okgae in Gusan-myeon, Judo in Jindong-myeon, and Jamdo in Jinhae-gu, all within Masanhappo-gu.

About 40 people participated in the event, including Cho Myungrae, the Second Vice Mayor of Changwon Special City, the president of the Masan Fisheries Business Association, and the head of the Wonjeon Fishing Village Association. The project budget was 150 million won.

The city plans to deploy fishery patrol vessels at all times to prevent the illegal capture of the released juveniles, and will also request cooperation from local fishermen to help protect the young fish.

Cho Myungrae, the Second Vice Mayor, stated, "We expect this release project to not only help restore fishery resources but also provide tangible benefits for fishermen's income. We will continue to release high-value-added marine species suited to the region's characteristics to create prosperous fishing villages."

Meanwhile, following the release of the rockfish, the city plans to spend 200 million won to release approximately 201,000 young flatfish into Okgae in Masanhappo-gu and four other coastal areas.

Rockfish inhabit warm coastal rocky areas with water temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius and are mainly found in the West Sea and South Sea. They grow quickly, are mostly active at night, and are often caught by anglers. Rockfish caught in shallow coastal waters are known to taste better than those from deeper waters, and smaller individuals are considered more flavorful.