Saemangeum Waters Struggle to Eradicate 'Boreumdal Jellyfish'

Warning Issued for Advisory Level in Jeonbuk Waters 3 Days Ago

As the early heatwave heats up the sea, the summer unwelcome visitor, the moon jellyfish, is rapidly breeding, causing trouble in fishing grounds and beaches.

According to Gunsan City on the 21st, a moon jellyfish caution alert was issued for the entire coastal area of Jeonbuk Province on the 3rd, and full-scale control efforts have begun. The moon jellyfish is native to Korea and is neither highly toxic nor large in size. However, due to its strong reproductive and survival abilities, large outbreaks cause damage to fishing gear and fisheries, inflicting significant losses on fishermen.

As the early heatwave heats up the sea, the summer nuisance, the full moon jellyfish, is rapidly breeding, becoming a headache for fishing grounds and beaches. The photo shows jellyfish removal work in the Saemangeum waters of Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk.
[Photo by Gunsan-si]

Accordingly, the city mobilized fishing vessels to minimize fishing damage caused by the mass occurrence of jellyfish, starting control operations from June 10. The vessels participating in the jellyfish control work were selected through a public announcement. Sixteen vessels were deployed in the Saemangeum area and three vessels in the Gunsan Inner Port area, working hard to remove the jellyfish.

The city is focusing control activities mainly in the Saemangeum area. This area has many artificial structures and favorable feeding conditions, so a significant increase in jellyfish occurrence is expected. Proactive measures are being taken to prevent jellyfish from spreading to outer waters when the drainage gates are opened.

Fishing vessels involved in the control work are required to wear life-saving equipment to ensure safe operations, and heat illness safety education has also been conducted. Although no complaints of jellyfish damage have been received so far, rapid removal projects such as monitoring the appearance areas are being actively promoted to prepare for potential damage to fishermen.

A Gunsan City official stated, "Due to abnormal high water temperatures caused by recent climate change, jellyfish are occurring in large numbers," and added, "We will do our best to prevent damage to fishermen from jellyfish."

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