Complete Ban on Styrofoam Buoy Usage Starting from 2023

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Announces Legislative Notice for Amendment to Fishery Management Act Enforcement Rules... Goal to Reduce Marine Litter

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The government will completely ban the use of Styrofoam buoys starting in 2023 to reduce marine litter.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has prepared a revision of the "Fishery Management Act Enforcement Rules" containing this measure and will announce it for legislative notice from the 5th until next month 17th.

Currently, Styrofoam buoys used in aquaculture farms quickly break down into marine microplastics. At present, only high-density (0.020g/㎤ or higher) Styrofoam buoys that minimize breakage can be used, but going forward, the use of Styrofoam buoys will be gradually and completely prohibited.

Accordingly, aquaculture farms for gim (laver) and oysters will be banned from using Styrofoam buoys starting in 2022, and other types of aquaculture farms will be banned from 2023 after securing supply capacity.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries also relaxed regulations so that the density does not need to be separately indicated on Styrofoam buoys.

The ministry aims for zero Styrofoam buoys in aquaculture farms by 2024, distributing 5.71 million eco-friendly buoys to farms this year, and plans to actively invest budgets annually to improve buoy quality and promote eco-friendly aquaculture methods.

Heo Manwook, head of the Aquaculture Industry Division at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "The ban on new use of Styrofoam buoys is expected to greatly contribute to reducing marine microplastics."

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