100 Billion Won to Be Invested by June 2027
'Control Tower' to Be Established at Pukyong National University Yongdang Campus
Busan City is set to establish the nation’s first big data center in the field of aquaculture.
On January 19 at 2 p.m., Busan City (Mayor Park Hyungjoon) announced the official launch of the “Smart Aquaculture Big Data Center Establishment Project” during a kick-off meeting held at Busan City Hall. The meeting, presided over by the Director of the City’s Maritime, Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau, was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, relevant city departments, and the project contractor to discuss strategies for project implementation, execution plans, schedules, and management measures.
This project aims to transform the aquaculture industry by integrating smart aquaculture and big data, and involves establishing the nation’s first big data center dedicated to aquaculture. The city is pursuing this initiative to play a leading role in building a future-oriented, data-driven aquaculture industry.
The main tasks include establishing a cloud-based smart aquaculture big data center, managing standardized big data for each fish species, building the nation’s first and largest smart aquaculture big data portal, and promoting digital transformation of the aquaculture industry through customized industrial services.
Approximately 10 billion won will be invested in the center’s construction, with 70% funded by the national government and 30% by the city. The center is scheduled for completion by June 2027 at the Yongdang Campus of Pukyong National University. The ITCenNTech consortium will be responsible for building the platform, while CAS will oversee project supervision.
A distinctive feature of this project is the implementation of consulting and automation services utilizing generative artificial intelligence (AI), in addition to building the big data platform. Starting with the six national smart aquaculture clusters currently being promoted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the project will collect data from research institutes, eco-friendly fish farms, and general fish farms to create both farm-specific and training datasets. Generative AI will then be trained on this data to provide customized consulting environments for each fish farm.
The center will also house an AI and aquaculture model development platform based on aquaculture data, a service platform including a data marketplace, professional training and support for startups and employment, and an integrated control system. In the future, customized data for each user will be provided through the center’s website, and transactions between sellers and buyers will be facilitated via the “data marketplace.” The collected data is expected to be utilized in various industries, including the creation of new business models and attracting private investment.
The city will also operate educational and professional training programs that combine aquaculture, information and communication technology (ICT), and engineering in collaboration with local industry, academia, and research institutions, aiming to nurture talent with expertise in both information technology and marine and fisheries sectors.
Through the establishment of this center, the city expects to improve aquaculture productivity and quality, create new data-driven industries, boost private investment and research and development in smart aquaculture, enhance export competitiveness, and lay the foundation for a sustainable aquaculture industry.
Cho Youngtae, Director of the City’s Maritime, Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau, stated, “This project is an opportunity for Busan to lead and drive innovation in the data-driven smart aquaculture industry,” adding, “We will do our utmost to strengthen collaboration among local industry, academia, and research institutions to contribute to nurturing regional talent.”
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