Wando Seaweed Farms Attract Visitors from Around the World

Published 22 Sep.2023 11:07(KST)

World Bank Officials Visit Seaweed Farms and Processing Facilities

Plan to Develop Global Platform Through Technology Transfer and Consortium Formation

On the 20th, officials from the World Bank Group, Hatch Innovation, an international consulting agency for aquaculture projects, and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council Korea office (ASC Korea) visited seaweed farms and processing facilities in Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do.

According to the county on the 22nd, this visit was a preliminary inspection for confirming the seaweed aquaculture industry site and technology transfer, and was arranged to develop a global platform through the formation of a consultative body thereafter.

County Governor Shin Woo-cheol is explaining Wando seaweed to World Bank officials. <br>[Photo by Wando County]

County Governor Shin Woo-cheol is explaining Wando seaweed to World Bank officials.
[Photo by Wando County]

Wando-gun is the largest seaweed production area in the country, with kelp, hijiki, and maesaengi accounting for more than 50% of the national production. Last year, 140,000 tons of kelp, 5,500 tons of hijiki, and 2,300 tons of maesaengi were produced.

In particular, kelp and hijiki were the first in Korea to acquire the ASC certification, an international eco-friendly seafood certification.

NASA released satellite images of Wando seaweed farms, highlighting Wando as an optimal and eco-friendly location for seaweed aquaculture, which attracted significant attention.

County Governor Shin Woo-cheol said, “Wando-produced seaweed, which is produced in an eco-friendly manner, is not only excellent in taste and nutrition but also contains functional substances, giving it high industrial value. We will put more effort into promoting our county’s seaweed production system overseas to increase fishermen’s income and advance the seaweed industry.”

Meanwhile, in April, seaweed industry workers from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and from the UK, the US, and Canada visited Wando-gun’s seaweed farms and processing facilities, showing global focus on Wando-produced seaweed.