Chonnam National University Hosts Major Forum on 'Offshore Wind Power and Marine Spatial Utilization'

At Yeosu Fisheries and Ocean University... Exploring Coexistence of Offshore Wind Power and Fisheries

[Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek] Chonnam National University held a large forum on the use of marine space.

The Chonnam National University Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Institute (Director Choi Sang-deok) held a forum on the 8th at the joint lecture hall of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences on the Yeosu campus, with the theme "Offshore Wind Power and Marine Space Utilization Plan," attended by general citizens and related organizations and groups.

This large forum was organized to seek coexistence measures with the fisheries industry according to the utilization plan of offshore wind power, which is attracting attention as a renewable energy source, and marine space, and to broaden consensus on efficient use of marine space through resident participation business models.

At the forum, presentations and discussions were held on topics such as ▲Current status and development plans of Jeonnam marine spatial planning (Dr. Cho Sang-pil, Gwangju Jeonnam Research Institute) ▲Overseas offshore wind power and coexistence measures with fisheries (Director Wi Jin-hwi, RICOF Research Institute) ▲Current status, procedures, and enhancement of resident acceptance of domestic offshore wind power (Director Moon Jeong-gap, Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology Promotion).

Currently, the world relies on fossil fuels for more than 80% of its energy supply, causing tremendous carbon emissions and triggering a climate crisis. Since the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan in 2011, attention has been focused on clean and safe renewable energy.

In particular, offshore wind power is rapidly emerging as a core of Korea's Green New Deal, and the construction of offshore wind farms is being promoted simultaneously in coastal waters nationwide. However, there has been insufficient review of the impact on the marine environment and ecosystem, leading to growing opposition from fishermen and stakeholders, escalating into social conflicts.

Director Choi Sang-deok said, "In Ulsan, a floating offshore wind power plant project is underway, and a large-scale offshore wind farm is planned in Sinan, Jeonnam, leading to a flood of opinions for and against offshore wind power." He added, "We organized this large forum to publicize these issues, share opinions and wisdom, and broaden interest in the utilization of marine space."

Yeosu=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Sim Kyung-taek simkt7@asiae.co.kr

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