Goseong County Selected for 2026 National Project to Create Fishery Resource Spawning and Habitat Grounds

Goseong County to Invest 5 Billion KRW Focused on Giant Octopus
Securing Giant Octopus Resources on the East Coast

Goseong County in Gangwon Province (Governor Ham Myungjun) announced on the 28th that the Ayajin coastal area has been selected as the target site for the 2026 national project to create spawning and habitat grounds for fishery resources. Starting in 2026 and continuing for five years until 2030, a total of 5 billion KRW (2.5 billion KRW in national funding and 2.5 billion KRW in local funding) will be invested in the project.

Comprehensive plan map for the creation of a giant octopus spawning habitat. Provided by Goseong County, Gangwon Province

The project, selected through a public contest, aims to establish an artificial fishing ground (including spawning and habitat sites) and resource enhancement (supplementing octopus resources) for the giant octopus, a representative species of the East Sea. It will also promote environmental improvement and effectiveness surveys. The goal is to systematically manage giant octopus resources and establish a hub for the supply of fishery resources, thereby creating a sustainable production system for fishery resources. A total of 5 billion KRW will be invested over five years, with 1 billion KRW allocated annually.

On November 24, at the evaluation committee for new sites for the 2026 fishery resource spawning and habitat creation project, held by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ayajin coastal area in Goseong County was selected after presentations and deliberations by local governments. The decision was based on a comprehensive review of the suitability survey results for the spawning and habitat area, alignment with national resource management policies, annual plans for spawning and habitat creation, predicted effects, and post-management plans.

An official from Goseong County stated, "Through the successful creation and efficient management of the giant octopus spawning and habitat grounds, we expect not only to establish a stable marine ecological environment but also to increase fishery income through the enhancement of fishery resources."