Pukyong National University Shares Information on 752 Species of Korean Marine Fish with the World

Publication of English Book 'Distribution Map of Korean Marine Fish' Summarizing 22 Years of Research

A page from 'A Guide Book to Marine Fishes in Korea,' recently published by the Pukyong National University Marine Fishery Resources Deposit Registration and Preservation Institution.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Pukyong National University is sharing information on marine fish species of Korea with the world.

Pukyong National University has published an English book titled A Guide Book to Marine Fishes in Korea, compiling information on 752 species of fish.

The book was recently published by the Marine Fish Resource Deposit and Preservation Institution at Pukyong National University (Director Kim Jin-gu, Professor of Resource Biology).

This guidebook consolidates distribution information of 752 marine fish species collected directly by Professor Kim Jin-gu’s research team from all Korean waters over 22 years, from 1999 to this year.

Some rare or large species were collected with the cooperation of the National Institute of Fisheries Science and the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency.

The book is an English translation of last year’s publication Marine Fishes of the Korean Peninsula, adding 10 species collected and gathered this year to the 742 species originally included.

It comprehensively covers photos, scientific names, morphological characteristics, and distribution maps of 752 marine fish species in Korea. Fish belonging to the same family are grouped on one page to facilitate easy differentiation of similar species.

Seven Korean endemic species featured in this book, including Huinjulwaemokjangeo (White-striped Hagfish), Hwangjulppaemyeoeulmyeol (Yellow-striped Cheek Goby), Sangjumulbaem (Sangju Water Snake), Haema (Seahorse), Ginkkori Eomjidochi (Long-tailed Pipefish), Julgasichi (Striped Spinefish), and Mingmulbedorachi (Freshwater Goby), were first reported on the southern coast and have attracted academic attention.

New candidate species such as Alsungeo (a type of mullet), Kanari genus, Ppalgaengi genus, Bamjuichibok genus, and Hwanghae Huinjeom Bok (Yellow Sea White-spotted Puffer) are also included, drawing significant interest from domestic and international ichthyologists.

Professor Kim Jin-gu stated, “Through this book, we have made efforts to introduce the Jasan Eobo published in the early 19th century during the Joseon Dynasty, the history of Korean fish research in the late 20th century, the marine environmental characteristics of the East Sea, West Sea, and South Sea, and representative fish species by sea area, as well as detailed information on the topography and fish species of Dokdo Island.”

He added, “Until now, there have been very few opportunities to share distribution information of marine fish species inhabiting all regions of Korea internationally. This book is expected to serve as a foothold for marine fish research in Northeast Asia and as a fish information resource in preparation for the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, which came into effect in 1993 and 2014 respectively. It will greatly contribute to creating high added value in the future, such as the development of health supplements and pharmaceuticals based on Korean marine fish.”

The Marine Fish Resource Deposit and Preservation Institution at Pukyong National University has been conducting research since 2014 under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Marine Biotechnology Technology Development Project, with cooperation from the Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion, to produce this book. It plans to distribute the book to overseas natural history museums, universities, and research institutions as well.

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