Let's Protect the Marine Ecosystem Together!… '12th Sea Planting Day Ceremony' Successfully Held in Pohang

12th Sea Forest Day Commemoration Ceremony and Sea Forest Blue Carbon International Forum

International Forum with Domestic and Foreign Experts in Marine Blue Carbon

Mayor Lee Gang-deok, "Reevaluating the Value of Sea Forests, Leading Carbon

On the 10th, Pohang City held the ‘12th Sea Planting Day Commemoration Ceremony and Sea Forest Blue Carbon International Forum’ at the Daejam Hall of City Hall.

Pohang City hosted the "12th Sea Forest Day Commemoration Ceremony and Sea Forest Blue Carbon International Forum."

Sea Planting Day (May 10) is a legally designated commemorative day established in 2012 to raise awareness of the importance of protecting underwater ecosystems, the seriousness of marine desertification, and to expand recognition and participation regarding the value and achievements of sea forests. Pohang became the first city in Gyeongbuk to hold a commemorative ceremony.

This year marks the 12th Sea Planting Day event, held under the theme ‘Leading Blue Carbon Strategy through Sea Forests.’ To enhance nationwide awareness of sea forests, the event was linked with academic activities including an international forum featuring domestic and international experts in marine blue carbon.

Blue carbon refers to the carbon absorbed by marine ecosystems such as oceans and wetlands. It plays a significant role in removing carbon dioxide from the Earth's atmosphere, thereby reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. As such, it has emerged as an important topic from the perspectives of marine conservation and climate change response.

The first part of the ceremony included awards for contributions to fisheries resource conservation. Professor Lee Gi-taek of Pohang University of Science and Technology received the Red Stripes Order of Service Merit, Director Bae Jin-woo of Dive R&D was awarded the Industrial Medal, Ulleung County in Gyeongbuk received the Presidential Citation, and Researcher Kang Jeong-chan of Jeju National University Basic Science Research Institute was honored with the Prime Minister’s Citation.

Additionally, Professor Peter MacLeod (Director of the Blue Carbon Research Institute at Deakin University, Australia) delivered a keynote speech on ‘Global Carbon Neutrality through Blue Carbon.’

In the second part, starting with a special lecture by Professor Kim Jong-sung of Seoul National University titled ‘Korea’s Blue Carbon Promotion Strategy,’ presentations were made on topics such as ▲ Sea Forests and Blue Carbon, Sea Planting Day (Choi Mi-kyung, FIRA Headquarters Director) ▲ Plans for Establishing the East Sea Blue Carbon Center (Professor Yoon Ho-sung, Kyungpook National University).

Furthermore, the event was divided into two sessions: ‘Exploring Methodologies for International Blue Carbon Certification’ and ‘Exploring Actual Cases and Policy Directions for Carbon Trading,’ featuring thematic presentations and comprehensive discussions by domestic and international experts.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “It is very meaningful that this year’s Sea Planting Day event is held in Pohang, a key city on the East Coast and one of Korea’s representative marine cities. We will reexamine the value of sea forests and take the lead in realizing marine-based carbon neutrality by establishing policy directions for blue carbon certification.”

Sea forests serve as habitats and spawning grounds for marine life, enhancing fisheries resource productivity and creating a healthy marine ecosystem. They also play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide and reducing greenhouse gases.

Accordingly, Pohang City is promoting the establishment of the ‘Homigot National Marine Ecological Park’ for systematic management of the marine ecosystem around the Homigot Peninsula, which has high conservation value. The city is also advancing the construction of the East Sea Blue Carbon Center, a dedicated institution for expanding blue carbon and obtaining international certification. Additionally, from this year through 2027, a public-private cooperative project will create a 2.99㎢ sea forest in the waters of Gupyung 1-ri and Mopo-ri in Pohang.

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