Protection of 5 Key Species Representing Incheon Begins in Earnest... Including Black-faced Spoonbill and Spotted Seal

Spotted Seal [Provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City announced on the 20th that it will intensify its protection project for the 'Incheon City Flagship Species,' representative species of the local ecosystem, starting next month.

The Incheon flagship species include five species: the Black-faced Spoonbill (Jeoosae), the Golden Frog (Geumgaeguri), the Spotted Seal (Jeombagi Mulbeom), the White-clawed Fiddler Crab (Huinbal Nongge), and the Large Fan Palm (Daecheong Buchae). These were selected and announced by the city last April in commemoration of the 51st Earth Day.

The term "flagship species" was introduced by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1993 and refers to symbolic species that represent the local ecosystem, reflecting ecological, geographical, social, and cultural characteristics of the region. The word "flagship" symbolizes a pioneering image for the restoration of the local ecosystem.

To protect the flagship species, the city will first conduct a one-year survey of their habitats and establish conservation measures starting next month. The research will explore follow-up protection plans after the designation of the flagship species and countermeasures against ecological disturbances caused by development around their habitats.

By collecting detailed information on the current habitat status and characteristics of the flagship species, the city plans to develop systematic conservation strategies, designate priority management areas for the flagship species, and establish basic conservation plans to create conditions where various species can coexist within the region.

To this end, Incheon City will form a specialized advisory committee for flagship species to find more systematic protection measures and recommend the enactment of related ordinances to districts and counties where flagship species habitats are located.

Additionally, at Dongmak Station on Incheon Subway Line 1, the station name will include the subtitle "Black-faced Spoonbill Ecological Learning Center," and a promotional center will be established inside the station to actively raise awareness of the flagship species.

Furthermore, to promote the development and operation of flagship species education and publicity programs, the city plans to select a project operator through a public contest in March and run professional and systematic flagship species promotion programs.

An official from Incheon City stated, "This year, efforts for practical ecosystem protection will be prioritized," adding, "We will thoroughly prepare various related policies and projects to create a foundation where diverse species can coexist, befitting 'Incheon, the Special Environmental City.'"

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