Sardine Swarms Return... Gyeongnam Province Prepares Step-by-Step Response Measures

Advance Booking for Commercialization, Fertilization or Incineration in Case of Death

Last October, a mass die-off of sardines occurred around Masan and Jinhae Bay in Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, causing severe social, economic, and environmental damage due to foul odors, water pollution, and the collection and disposal of carcasses.

Gyeongnam Province, responding to the National Institute of Fisheries Science's forecast that large groups of sardines will appear again this year along the southern coast, has quickly begun preparing countermeasures.

An emergency task force meeting is being held to respond to the mass occurrence of sardines.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

On the 18th, an emergency working-level meeting was held with Changwon City to seek preemptive response plans for the early appearance of sardines and prevention of die-offs.

On the 25th, a preemptive countermeasure consultation meeting was held at the Gyeongnam Research Institute with related organizations including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the National Institute of Fisheries Science, and Changwon City.

Governor Park Wan-su emphasized, "Before a mass die-off of sardines occurs, it is necessary to utilize them as industrially valuable resources through processing."

At the consultation meeting, step-by-step response measures were discussed, including the rapid capture of sardines entering the coast in large numbers to commercialize small sardines with industrial value and swift disposal plans in case of die-offs.

Sardine carcasses washed ashore near the Free Trade Zone in Masanhoewon-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam.
Photo by Song Jong-gu

Young sardines with high industrial value will be caught, undergo primary processing such as boiling, and sold as products to increase fishermen's income and reduce the mass occurrence of sardines.

Medium-sized sardines and larger will be processed into canned goods or frozen to efficiently utilize the resources.

In the event of die-offs, Gyeongnam Province, Changwon City, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will collaborate to promptly handle disposal through fertilization, feed production, or incineration to minimize residents' inconvenience and environmental pollution.

Kim Je-hong, Director of the Marine and Fisheries Bureau, stated, "Last year’s mass sardine die-off caused significant inconvenience to residents near Changwon City. We will actively respond according to the step-by-step response plan to prevent recurrence of damage."

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