Goheung-gun Significantly Reduces Microplastics by Distributing Eco-Friendly Buoys

1. Apply by the 21st, Complete Conversion of Existing Styrofoam Buoys by 2024

[Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo] Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Song Gwi-geun) has started distributing eco-friendly buoys that generate almost no microplastics to reduce the use of Styrofoam buoys, which constitute a large portion of marine debris.

On the 12th, the county announced that it is accepting applications for the 2022 eco-friendly buoy project to prevent marine pollution and establish a foundation for the safe supply of seafood.

This year, the project budget secured is 11 billion KRW, more than double last year's 5.147 billion KRW, marking the largest budget ever.

According to the partial amendment and announcement of the Fishery Management Act Enforcement Rules (November 12, 2021), the installation of Styrofoam buoys in fishing grounds will be gradually restricted, and Goheung-gun plans to complete the conversion of existing Styrofoam buoys to eco-friendly buoys by 2024.

The supported items are products certified as eco-friendly buoys used in aquaculture, fishing ground facilities, fishing vessels, and fishing gear. Applications can be submitted through the Goheung-gun Office Marine Fisheries Division, town and township offices, and the Fisheries Cooperative by January 21.

A county official stated, "From November 13, 2022, the new installation of Styrofoam buoys in submersible aquaculture farms is prohibited. We have secured 250 million KRW for the disposal of Styrofoam buoys to ensure that discarded Styrofoam buoys are collected promptly. We will prioritize replacing oyster aquaculture buoys within Goheung-gun with eco-friendly buoys within this year."

Goheung=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shim Jeong-woo sevenshim@asiae.co.kr

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