Jeonnam Province to Strengthen System for Reducing Marine Waste

A Budget of 39.6 Billion KRW Invested, with Expanded Resident Participation
Implementation of Fishing Gear Deposit System and Cleanup Projects

Scene of marine debris cleanup activity held at a beach in Yeosu. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do plans to invest 39.6 billion KRW this year to reduce marine waste, focusing on strengthening management of land and sea-based sources, establishing an efficient collection and management system, and expanding resident participation to achieve a clean Jeollanam-do sea.

To enhance the management of land and sea-based sources, Jeollanam-do will invest 1.2 billion KRW to implement a fishing gear deposit system, returning deposits when used fishing gear is brought back.

The province will also expand the installation of floating waste barriers at river mouths and pilot coastal waste monitoring using drones and artificial intelligence in priority areas such as Wando and Shinan to seek more efficient management solutions.

For efficient collection and management of marine waste, 33.2 billion KRW will be allocated to island and coastal marine waste cleanup projects, hiring 282 sea environment guardians, newly establishing 58 land and on-board collection centers at ports and harbors, purchasing waste retrieved during fishing operations, and supporting the removal of abandoned vessels, all aimed at creating cleaner coastlines.

To collect and process marine contaminated sediments, 5 billion KRW will be invested in aquaculture farm cleanup projects and the Hampyeong Bay clean fishery regeneration project to improve the coastal fishery environment. In cooperation with the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, the province will expand hub-type public recycling collection centers from Mokpo Port to Gwangyang Port to increase the recycling rate of marine waste.

To expand resident participation and cooperation with related organizations, 200 million KRW will be used to support eight private organizations in the field of marine conservation, such as coastal cleanup activities and campaigns. The operation of the monthly 'Coastal Cleanup Day' involving both public and private sectors will be activated, and customized education to raise residents' awareness will also be expanded.

In addition, the province plans to propose to the government the discovery of region-specific marine waste reduction projects, an increase in the national subsidy rate for cleanup projects (from 50% to 70%), and the supply of modernized cleanup vessels by region for continuous collection of floating and submerged waste.

Park Geunsik, Director of the Shipping and Port Division of Jeollanam-do, said, "We will thoroughly implement the marine waste reduction measures and actively propose government support for cleanup vessels and other initiatives to protect the marine environment and public health."

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