Seahorses Return to the 'LG Chem' Ziziphus Community

Colony Area Expands to the Size of Four Soccer Fields

Seahorses have been discovered in the Zostera marina (eelgrass) colonies planted by LG Chem in the waters off Yeosu.

On the 27th, LG Chem revealed the interim monitoring results of its eelgrass habitat restoration and research project. Since last year, LG Chem has been restoring eelgrass colonies near Daegyeongdo Island in the waters off Yeosu, where its business site is located. The restoration method involves transplanting eelgrass into gaps between existing colonies and connecting the colonies.

Comparison photos of the sea in front of Daegyeongdo, Yeosu before planting Zalpi (left) and after Zalpi has grown (right) (Provided by LG Chem)

Since the restoration project, the decline of the eelgrass colonies has stopped, and their area has increased. In October last year, LG Chem transplanted 50,000 eelgrass shoots in the first phase, expanding the colony area from the existing 42.7 hectares to 44.7 hectares. Since then, without any dying individuals, the colonies have naturally expanded together with the natural colonies, reaching 45.5 hectares as of June this year.

The increased area after restoration is about 2.8 hectares, equivalent to the size of four soccer fields. Including the sediment layer where the eelgrass is planted, this area can absorb 1,400 tons of carbon annually, which is the amount emitted by approximately 780 cars each year.

The density of eelgrass habitat also increased from an average of 48 shoots per square meter last year to 59 shoots this year, showing growth to a level similar to that of natural colonies.

The number of species visiting the eelgrass colonies has also increased. At the end of last year, the species found in the transplanted area were mostly starfish and marine worms, totaling only 17 species. By June this year, the number of marine species visiting, including seahorses, increased to 56 species. Notably, seahorses are designated marine protected species by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, sensitive to water quality changes and able to live only in clean environments, making them an indicator of ecosystem restoration.

LG Chem plans to transplant an additional 20,000 eelgrass shoots this year. The area of the eelgrass colonies is expected to reach 10 hectares by 2026. To support the restoration project, marine research experts and divers, along with ecological specialists, will continue research on ecological environmental changes and develop transplantation methods.

Kang Jae-cheol, LG Chem’s Sustainability Officer, said, "As the eelgrass colonies have established themselves in nature, they have made a meaningful contribution to marine ecosystem restoration," adding, "We will actively promote eelgrass habitat restoration and research projects based on cutting-edge scientific techniques in collaboration with partner organizations to create a sustainable marine ecosystem."

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