Dangjin Reclaimed Land Transformed into Aquaculture Farm... Full-Scale Atlantic Salmon Farming Begins

Annual Production Target of 500,000 Tons

Dangjin City is showcasing salmon raised in aquaculture farms. Photo by Dangjin City

It has become possible to farm salmon in large quantities in Dangjin, Chungnam.

The Chungnam Provincial Government announced on the 29th that it has started farming Atlantic salmon at a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) land-based fish farm built on reclaimed land in Songak-eup, Dangjin.

Last year, Korea's salmon import value reached $505.287 million, making it the number one imported seafood. This figure has nearly quadrupled compared to 2013.

The Chungnam Provincial Government and Dangjin City invested 1.3 billion won last year to establish the fish farm on a 1,600-square-meter plot of reclaimed land that was previously used for rice cultivation. By utilizing recirculating aquaculture technology, the risk of disease infection is lower than in conventional fish farms, and less wastewater is discharged.

The annual production target is 500,000 tons. Currently, the farm is conducting a pilot project with 3 tons of steelhead, also known as rainbow trout. For Atlantic salmon, 200,000 eggs were stocked and hatched last May, and they are being raised for shipment at around 5 kg each over a 24-month period.

The import price per kilogram of salmon is around 10,000 won, while the domestic farm shipment price is between 5,000 and 8,000 won.

An official from the provincial government said, "The land-based salmon farm, which applies smart aquaculture techniques to address the aging of the fishing industry, labor shortages, and the need for real income generation, appears to have reached a stabilization stage," adding, "We will analyze the results of the project and work to expand it throughout the province."

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