Wando-gun Successfully Completes Marine Bio Forum

Strategies for Revitalizing the Marine Bioindustry Ecosystem Using Seaweed

Wando-gun Lifestyle Culture Center held the '2021 Wando Marine Bio Forum'. ⓒ Asia Economy

[Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyungpil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, and the Korea Marine Biotechnology Society held the ‘2021 Wando Marine Bio Forum’ at the Wando-gun Life Culture Center on the 9th.

According to the county on the 13th, this forum was planned to prepare for the future of seaweed aquaculture, which is facing a crisis due to recent climate change-induced natural disasters and changes in consumption patterns such as the increase in ready-to-eat food consumption, and to explore the direction of the marine bio industry, which Wando-gun is focusing on promoting.

The forum was attended by marine bio experts including university professors from Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea University, and representatives of marine bio companies.

The presentations covered topics such as the prevention of sarcopenia using seaweed, strategies to suppress fine dust and the COVID-19 virus, development and application of natural aromas using seaweed, development of seaweed-based biomedical materials, and the value and industrial application of seaweed glycobiomics.

Professor Jeon Yoo-jin of Jeju National University explained the preventive effects of seaweed on sarcopenia, fine dust, and COVID-19 virus, and stated, “Carbon neutrality by 2050 requires the activation of the seaweed ecosystem, which is the core of blue carbon,” suggesting that Wando-gun should apply research on the sugar structure and biological functions of seaweed to industry.

Jung Seok-young, CEO of Hanbul Hwanong, explained marketing strategies that target consumer emotions by linking the scenery of Wando, the sea, and seaweed with Wando-gun’s key project, the marine healing industry.

In the comprehensive discussion, various opinions were presented, including the academic value and development direction of Wando’s marine bio industry, cooperation matters among industry, academia, research institutes, and Wando-gun, and future directions.

County Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, “It was a good opportunity for marine bio researchers, companies, and experts from various fields to gather in one place and concretize the direction and purpose of revitalizing Wando-gun’s marine bio industry,” adding, “We will do our best to prepare strategies for revitalizing the marine bio industry using seaweed through this forum so that the industry can be further activated.”

Meanwhile, Wando-gun is investing a total of about 52 billion KRW to foster itself as a supply base for seaweed-based bio materials in line with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ strategy to preoccupy the global marine bio market. It is currently building a marine bio joint cooperation research institute, certification and production facilities for active seaweed materials, and a marine healthcare efficacy evaluation demonstration support center.

Wando＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyungpil ckp6737@asiae.co.kr

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