Haenam-gun Takes Proactive Measures Against Massive Influx of 'Gwaengsaengi Mojaban' in Sinan and Jindo

Support for Fishing Village Association Vessel Rental Fees and Collection/Disposal of Gwaengsaengi Mozaban Seaweed

Collecting 'Gwaengsaengi Mozaban,' which is causing significant damage to kimchi and abalone farms. (Photo by Haenam-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Hyun] Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 10th that it is taking proactive measures to remove the 'Gwaengsaengi Mozaban,' which causes significant damage to seaweed and abalone farms every year.

Gwaengsaengi Mozaban is a seaweed that thrives in warm waters. Since 2015, it has been carried by ocean currents from southern China to Jeju Island and the southwestern coast of Jeollanam-do, where it has settled around aquaculture farms, forming natural colonies and proliferating.

It entangles in seaweed nets or facilities for laver and kelp, causing frond loss and inhibiting growth. It also induces abalone mortality due to oxygen depletion, causing enormous damage not only to seaweed farms but also to abalone aquaculture.

This year, with a massive influx of Gwaengsaengi Mozaban in Sinan and Jindo, Haenam-gun is actively collecting it by investing 90 million won of county funds as a preemptive response.

The county supports vessel rental fees for collecting Gwaengsaengi Mozaban and is conducting a coordinated collection effort together with village fishing cooperatives.

In this regard, on the 8th, 17 fishermen from the Namseong Fishing Cooperative in Bukpyeong-myeon mobilized 15 fishing vessels to collect and dispose of 20 tons of Gwaengsaengi Mozaban. From the 15th, collection will be carried out sequentially by the Yeongjeon and Namseong fishing cooperatives.

A county official stated, "Considering the situation in other regions, the damage from Gwaengsaengi Mozaban is expected to be severe this year, so we have proactively started collection work. We will do our utmost to ensure there are no disruptions in collecting Gwaengsaengi Mozaban in cooperation with fishermen."

Meanwhile, Haenam-gun has continuously collected and disposed of a total of 4,276 tons of Gwaengsaengi Mozaban by investing 193 million won from 2015 to last year.

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