Fishermen's Dream 'Gamsaengi' Nurtured... Promoting 'Genetic Management' for a Healthy Marine Ecosystem

Busan Fisheries Resources Research Institute and Korea Fisheries Resources Agency Select First Collaborative Project

Schematic diagram of the 'genetic management' of black porgy.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Genetic management of the black porgy, a ‘dream’ target for sea anglers and fishermen, is being promoted.

The black porgy, a species of the sea bream family, is popularly known as ‘Gamsaengi’ and is one of the favored fish for sashimi.

The Busan Fisheries Resources Research Institute and the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA) Strategic Business Headquarters signed a business agreement last June to improve the health of the coastal ecosystem in Busan.

Recently, they decided on genetic management of the black porgy as their first collaborative project.

The black porgy mainly inhabits the western and southern coastal areas of Korea and is a popular species among anglers. It is known as a high-income species that helps increase fishermen’s earnings.

Over the past decade, the institute has released about 8 million black porgy juveniles, creating fishery resources along the Busan coast and devising ways to increase fishermen’s income.

The catch volume, which was around 1 ton in the early days of release, has increased to over 10 tons since 2018.

Following the collaborative project, the two organizations agreed to cooperate to enhance the genetic diversity of the black porgy juveniles released.

Starting this month, the institute will secure candidate broodstock of black porgy and conduct individual history management, while FIRA plans to establish and provide breeding guidelines using the genetic information of broodstock to produce healthy juveniles.

Breeding guidelines refer to a method of designating mating groups between males and females by considering genetic distances to ensure the production of healthy juveniles with secured genetic diversity.

Additionally, using genetic information, they will evaluate the genetic diversity of black porgy and conduct scientific and systematic release effect surveys using parentage verification technology.

Since this year, FIRA has included black porgy in the species subject to genetic diversity monitoring for evaluation and management.

Lee Guk-jin, director of the Busan Fisheries Resources Research Institute, explained, “Combining the institute’s juvenile production technology with FIRA’s genetic management and resource development technology will greatly help restore the health of the Busan coastal ecosystem and increase resources.”

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