Artificial Reefs Installed in Incheon Daecheong·Socheong, Deokjeok·Jawol Waters... Area Equivalent to 73 Soccer Fields

Incheon City announced on the 14th that it will invest 1.8 billion KRW to install artificial reefs covering an area equivalent to 73 soccer fields in the waters of Ongjin-gun’s Daecheong and Socheong Islands, as well as Deokjeok and Jawol Islands.

Artificial reefs, also known as fish apartments, are structures made of concrete or steel designed to create habitats and spawning grounds for marine life. Once installed, seaweed attaches to the reefs, transforming them into optimal environments where fish and shellfish can thrive. The Incheon Artificial Reef Management Committee selected four types of reefs suitable for the marine environment, considering factors such as water depth and currents.

On the same day, the city will install two large steel fish cave reefs, each measuring 13 meters wide and 9 meters high, over a 16-hectare area in the Daecheong and Socheong waters. These reefs are designed based on the movement patterns of fish moving from wide to narrow spaces and are suitable for deep and fast-flowing waters. Then, in September and October, square reefs (300 units), tunnel-shaped reefs (140 units), and Shin Yo-cheol type reefs (206 units) will be installed over a 36-hectare area in the Deokjeok and Jawol waters.

Artificial reef installation scene
Photo by Incheon City

Starting this year, the city plans to conduct marine environmental impact assessments before and after the artificial reef installation projects. They will investigate the current status of the target waters, fishery resource quantities, and marine environment to precisely verify the impact of the artificial reef projects on the marine environment and their effectiveness in enhancing fishery resources.

Additionally, a post-management project will be promoted to maintain the functionality of the artificial reefs. According to last year’s functional analysis of reef fishing grounds, the catch volume in waters where artificial reefs were installed was 2.27 times higher.

An official from Incheon City stated, "Artificial reefs provide high-quality habitats for marine life, increasing the productivity of fishery resources, boosting fishermen’s income, and greatly contributing to the revitalization of the local economy. We will continue to install artificial reefs suitable for each marine area to foster abundant fishery resources."

Meanwhile, since beginning artificial reef installations in 1973, the city has created artificial reef fishing grounds covering 12,265 hectares, approximately 42 times the area of Yeouido, up until last year.

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