Wando-gun Discusses Measures to Overcome COVID-19 Crisis in Seaweed Industry

Held Meeting to Share COVID-19 Response Status and Explore Development Plans by Sector

Wando County held a meeting to share the COVID-19 response status with representatives of the seaweed industry and discuss ways to develop the seaweed industry. (Photo by Wando County)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyungpil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 16th that it held a meeting on the 13th at the Wando-gun Office large conference room to share the COVID-19 response status with representatives from the seaweed-related industry and discuss ways to develop the seaweed industry.

The meeting was attended by Wando-gun Governor Shin Woo-cheol, Wando-gun Council member Lee Beom-seong, and representatives from related industries including kelp, gim, miyeok, tot, export, and distribution.

At the meeting, they first shared the COVID-19 response status, including the campaign to use local stores for Chuseok gifts, online and offline seafood events, and cases of non-face-to-face overseas market development.

Additionally, the county explained that efforts to promote seafood through broadcasting media have been effective, noting that after the SBS program "Delicious Plaza" aired an episode on "Wando Kelp," 2,000 tons of kelp were sold. Following the broadcast, the auction price rose, alleviating the difficulties faced by fishermen who had been struggling with increased inventory.

Regarding gim distribution, sales have increased as people prefer home-cooked meals over dining out due to COVID-19. Gim is widely used in snacks in Thailand, and seaweed has attracted attention as a health food in France, leading to increased exports.

The county plans to distribute high-quality seedlings of the new variety "Soan Gim No.4" to restore the former reputation of Wando gim.

Wando miyeok accounts for 39% of the national production volume. To improve quality, the county plans to supply seedlings of the new variety "Sugwawon Cheonghae," which was researched for one year with county funds starting in 2018, to seedling cultivation companies and then distribute them to fishermen.

"Sugwawon Cheonghae" has a higher blade ratio and higher yield of dried miyeok compared to general varieties, making it suitable for processing.

Furthermore, as a solution to the recent miyeok seedling loss problem, the county plans to actively inform fishermen of the findings from investigations conducted with the Jeonnam Marine Fisheries Science Institute regarding maladaptation caused by differences in water temperature between the nursery area and actual farms, as well as issues during long-distance transport of seedling frames.

Tot is exported 94% to Japan, but exports have decreased due to reduced consumption caused by an aging consumer base. To promote consumption, the county aims to develop processed tot recipes and conduct promotional activities.

Meanwhile, last month, 11 fishing households in Wando-gun, including those producing tot and kelp, obtained the international eco-friendly seafood certifications ASC-MSC, reaffirming their excellence.

The Wando Eco-friendly Seafood Cooperative, which acquired the ASC-CoC certification granted to processing and distribution companies, proposed the construction of a "Seaweed Logistics Center" to secure product reliability. Representatives from the seaweed industry also emphasized the need for measures to address labor shortages.

In response, the county plans to review solutions to labor shortages by collaborating with neighboring local governments when agricultural and fishery busy seasons do not overlap.

There was strong interest from the seaweed industry regarding the experimental farming of gamtae. If the experimental farming of gamtae, which can be used as raw material for pharmaceuticals and functional substances and as alternative feed during high-temperature periods for abalone feed and kelp loss periods, succeeds, it is expected to produce about 250,000 tons by 2025, contributing to fishermen's income generation.

Suggestions were also made regarding the development of various processed products and support for youth entrepreneurship.

Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, "We will actively review the proposed matters," adding, "To differentiate Wando seafood and enhance competitiveness, we will expand international eco-friendly seafood certifications and actively promote the excellence and safety of Wando seafood, doing our best to overcome the COVID-19 crisis."

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