Jeonnam's High Water Temperature Aquaculture Damage This Year Reaches 48.8 Billion Won, 'Record High'

Moon Geum-ju "Urgent Need for Mid- to Long-Term Measures Such as Fish Species Diversification"

Assemblyman Moon Geum-ju

This summer, aquaculture farms in Jeonnam Province suffered record-breaking damage due to unusually high sea temperatures.

According to data submitted by Jeonnam Province to Moon Geum-ju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin), as of last month, the province received reports of damage from seven cities and counties affecting 220 aquaculture farms, totaling over 48.8 billion KRW. This is the largest scale of damage since 2021, when losses amounted to 49.4 billion KRW.

Notably, most of the damage from this high sea temperature was concentrated in aquaculture farms raising rockfish (Jopibollak, Ureok), highlighting the urgent need to diversify aquaculture species.

Rep. Moon stated, “Diversification of aquaculture species is necessary as a response to abnormal temperature damage. However, the current research and development of alternative aquaculture species by the National Institute of Fisheries Science is not keeping pace with the speed of climate change. Even after R&D is completed, there is the issue of needing to implement it on-site along with measures to boost consumption.”

She also raised the need to promote smart aquaculture farms to increase farmers’ income and stabilize livelihoods. Currently, Jeonnam is advancing a project to create advanced fisheries aquaculture complexes using reclaimed land, while some areas in Jeonbuk and Jeju are developing land-based seaweed farms.

Rep. Moon urged government-level support for industry and occupation transitions for farms that cannot resume operations due to severe damage caused by the climate crisis. Although aquaculture farms receive support for damage recovery through disaster insurance and disaster relief funds, the scale of support is disconnected from reality, making a prompt return to operations practically difficult.

She emphasized, “The government must prepare extraordinary measures to stabilize fishermen’s livelihoods and create a sustainable fishing environment in the face of the climate crisis. It is essential to establish mid- to long-term measures such as diversification of aquaculture species, realistic disaster relief funds, smart aquaculture, and support for industry and occupation transitions to ensure practical assistance.”

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