Clean Sea Wando Seafood Takes Center Stage in the Domestic Market

Operation of Promotion Booth, Export Consultation, and Drive-Thru at 2020 Busan International Fisheries EXPO

Hosting Eco-friendly Seafood International Certification ASC-MSC Award Ceremony and Export Seminar

Wando County participated in the '2020 Busan International Fisheries EXPO,' one of Asia's top three comprehensive fisheries exhibitions, and held various events to promote the excellence of Wando seafood. (Photo by Wando County)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando County, Jeollanam-do (Governor Shin Woo-cheol) announced on the 9th that it participated in the '2020 Busan International Fisheries EXPO,' one of Asia's top three comprehensive fisheries exhibitions, held from the 5th to the 7th, and conducted various events to promote the excellence of Wando seafood.

Wando County, which has participated annually in the Busan International Fisheries EXPO, a venue for export and business opportunities, held the seaweed ASC-MSC certification award ceremony and export seminar, operated a promotional booth, conducted video export consultations, drive-thru abalone sales, and online promotional events this year.

In particular, to promote Wando seafood and export company products domestically and internationally, Wando County operated a joint pavilion (12 booths) for three days.

At the Wando County joint pavilion, various products such as live abalone, live flatfish, seaweed salad, seaweed pork cutlet, seaweed noodles, seasoned abalone, and sliced abalone were showcased to domestic and international buyers and consumers.

The companies participating in the joint pavilion were Nuri Young Fishery Cooperative Corporation (abalone), Wando Sarang S&F (abalone), Haeseong International (flatfish), Haecheongjeong (seaweed), Segyero Fisheries (seaweed), Hana Trading (seaweed), Badahyanggi (seaweed), and Wando Eco-friendly Cooperative (seaweed).

On the second day, the 'ASC-MSC Seaweed Certification Award Ceremony' and the 'Sustainable Responsible Seafood Seaweed Export Seminar' were held.

Last month, 11 fishing households producing seaweed such as tot and dashima under the Wando Eco-friendly Cooperative became the world's first to acquire the ASC-MSC, an international eco-friendly seafood certification, and received the certificates on this day.

The award ceremony was graced by Vidar Dolenen, Honorary Consul of Norway in Korea and Korean representative of DNV-GL, an ASC certification auditing company, officials from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Jeollanam-do, members of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council and Wando County Council, and buyers.

Governor Shin Woo-cheol of Wando County said, "Wando seafood, known as the clean sea capital of Korea, is valuable by name alone, but as food safety is increasingly emphasized, the ASC certification holds great significance," adding, "We will expand ASC certification not only for abalone, tot, and dashima but also to strengthen seafood competitiveness so that Wando can establish itself as a center for eco-friendly seafood production."

The subsequent seminar included presentations on changes in domestic and international seafood consumption markets, considerations when promoting eco-friendly seafood certification, and discussions on changes in the seafood market.

Additionally, three business agreements were signed between Wando County, Wando Eco-friendly Cooperative, and French company Lienco, Daejin Fisheries, and Lotte Department Store to facilitate the smooth domestic and international production, distribution, and consumption of seaweed.

Lee Jung-geun, CEO of Lienco, which imports Wando seafood to Paris, France, and promotes cooking classes and press conferences for locals, said, "Seaweed, once a barren area in Europe, has recently gained popularity as a superfood," and added, "I applaud Wando County's challenge leading the seaweed industry."

A county official stated, "We will continue to actively promote Wando seafood by participating in exhibitions held not only domestically but also overseas and strive to translate this into export achievements."

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