Jeonbuk Province Expands Domestic Seed Production for Clams... Vital to Protect Local Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Gominhyeong] Jeonbuk Province is focusing on securing seed production technology and establishing large-scale seed production facilities as dependence on Chinese Manila clam seeds deepens.

According to the province on the 8th, Gomso Bay, the main Manila clam production area nationwide, produces 70-80% of the country's Manila clams.

Last year, it produced 17,162 tons, accounting for 77.1% of the national production of 22,253 tons.

However, due to marine environmental changes, the natural seed occurrence in Gomso Bay is low, so aquaculture is conducted using domestic seeds from other regions and Chinese seeds, but with the decrease in domestic seed production, imports of Chinese Manila clam seeds have continuously increased (3,037 tons in 2016 → 5,434 tons last year, a 79% increase).

The Provincial Fisheries Technology Research Institute secured mass production technology for Manila clam seeds through experimental research from 2010 to 2012, and since last year, it has been able to produce and release 10 million seeds annually.

Jeon Byeong-gwon, head of the Provincial Fisheries Technology Research Institute, said, “We will become independent from Chinese Manila clam seeds to prevent foreign currency outflow, and ultimately transfer the secured technology to the private sector to achieve aquaculture industry development through public-private cooperation.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.