‘Smart Aquaculture Cluster Testbed’ Established at Pukyong National University … Annual 500t Atlantic Salmon Farming

The 'Smart Aquaculture Cluster Testbed Groundbreaking Ceremony' is currently underway at the Pukyong National University Fisheries Science Research Institute.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] A 'Smart Aquaculture Cluster Testbed' capable of farming 500 tons of Atlantic salmon annually will be established on the site of the National Pukyong National University Fisheries Science Research Institute in Gijang-gun, Busan.

Pukyong National University, Busan City, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries held a 'Smart Aquaculture Cluster Testbed Groundbreaking Ceremony' on the afternoon of the 19th at the Pukyong National University Fisheries Science Research Institute.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Pukyong National University President Jang Young-su, Busan City Deputy Mayor Lee Byung-jin, Busan City Council Chairman Ahn Seong-min, Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Song Sang-geun, National Assembly member Ahn Byung-gil, and GS Construction CEO Heo Yoon-hong, among others.

The 'Smart Aquaculture Cluster Development Project' is a project aimed at dramatically increasing productivity by transforming the aquaculture industry, which relied on individual experiential knowledge, into a digital industry by integrating technologies such as data, networks, and artificial intelligence.

The Busan Smart Aquaculture Cluster is a project investing 40 billion KRW to develop a smart aquaculture testbed and supporting infrastructure on a site covering 67,320 square meters.

Once completed, the cluster is expected to generate a production inducement effect of 71.2 billion KRW and create 425 jobs.

The testbed will feature an eco-friendly aquaculture farm applying advanced technologies such as sensors, communication and data storage devices, and a smart aquaculture platform, using a recirculating filtration system that reuses over 99% of the rearing water.

Here, 500 tons of Atlantic salmon will be farmed annually using smart technology.

A research and development center promoting high-density production, development of salmon-specific feed, and professional workforce training projects, as well as a research enterprise support office to allow research institutions to focus on technology development, will also be established.

The groundbreaking testbed is scheduled for completion next year, and synergy effects in research and development are expected in collaboration with the Pukyong National University Fisheries Science Research Institute, a hub for fisheries science research.

Pukyong National University and GS Construction signed a win-win cooperation agreement last year for the successful establishment and operation of the Busan Smart Aquaculture Cluster, research and development, educational cooperation, and co-growth of marine and fisheries-related industries to drive economic innovation in the marine and fisheries sector.

If the project is successfully promoted, domestically produced Korean salmon is expected to be served on dining tables.

Most of the salmon consumed domestically depends on imports, with import volumes increasing from about 40,000 tons in 2020 to about 60,000 tons in 2021.

President Jang Young-su of Pukyong National University said, “With the groundbreaking of the testbed, we expect to establish a foundation for farming world-renowned premium salmon and to lead the training of professionals and technological development in the smart aquaculture field.”

In 2019, Busan City was finally selected through a public contest by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for the Smart Aquaculture Cluster Development Project, and in the same year, Busan City, Pukyong National University, and the Busan Smart Aquaculture Cluster Project Group signed an implementation agreement. After obtaining development permits, the project is currently in the final stages of infrastructure construction, including water intake facilities, drainage management, and electrical equipment.

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