Jeonnam Marine Fisheries Science Institute Signs First Domestic Technology Transfer Contract for Seaweed Seed

Published 24 Nov.2021 17:57(KST)

Jeollanam-do Marine Fisheries Science Institute signed the first domestic commercial use (technology transfer) contract in the fisheries sector with three private seed cultivation companies: Daeyang ESSC Co., Ltd. CEO Lee Seung-hwan (right), Myeongseong Kimjongmyo Fisheries Research Institute, and Changjo Fisheries. ? Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Jeollanam-do Marine Fisheries Science Institute (Director Park Juntak) has signed the first domestic commercial licensing (technology transfer) contract in the fisheries sector with three private seed cultivation (filamentous algae) companies to stabilize, specialize, and scale the laver seed industry and create a sustainable laver aquaculture ecosystem.

According to the Jeollanam-do Marine Fisheries Science Institute on the 24th, the contracted companies are Daeyang SSC Co., Ltd., Myeongseong Gimjongmyo Fisheries Research Institute, and Changjo Fisheries, and the licensed variety is ‘Haepung No. 1’.

Developed ambitiously by Jeonnam Province in 2011, this so-called ‘Super Gim’ has excellent reproductive ability and yields more than twice that of existing varieties, making it a representative Jeonnam variety consistently loved by fishermen.

Laver is a flagship K-Food product, known as the ‘black semiconductor of the sea,’ and has established itself as a leading seafood industry by exporting $600 million last year. However, the seed and cultivation industries are very small-scale, making specialization and scaling through private technology transfer essential for stabilizing the laver industry.

Accordingly, to transfer the ‘Haepung No. 1’ variety, which has been distributed to aquaculture fishermen since 2011, a commercial licensing contract (4,500g of filamentous algae) was signed on the 24th with three Jeonnam filamentous algae companies that applied following a public announcement in October.

So far, the Jeonnam Marine Fisheries Science Institute has developed five new laver varieties and distributed them to laver aquaculture households, not only increasing fishermen’s income but also playing a driving role in achieving $600 million in laver exports.

Director Park Juntak said, “This commercial licensing is expected to have a great synergy effect by inducing the stabilization of the seed industry, which is the foundation of the laver industry, and focusing on research to develop high-quality new laver varieties suitable for the rapidly changing marine environment. We will continue to do our best to develop varieties tailored to regional characteristics demanded by fishermen.”