Jeonnam Province Distributes Certified Buoys to Reduce Microplastics

Less Prone to Crumbling and More Durable Than Conventional Buoys

Certified buoy installed in the Haenam sea area. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do announced on the 19th that it will invest 28.6 billion KRW in the 2025 certified buoy distribution project to reduce microplastics, one of the main causes of marine environmental pollution, and to create a cleaner marine environment.

Certified buoys are plastic-molded products that, unlike the Styrofoam buoys traditionally used in aquaculture farms, do not crumble, making the likelihood of microplastic generation low. They are also highly durable, allowing for long-term use.

It is well known that microplastics worsen the marine ecosystem and fishing ground environments. In fact, a 2020 study by the University of Exeter in the UK warned that microplastics could have serious impacts on humans through marine organisms.

Since 2015, Jeollanam-do has distributed a total of 25.32 million certified buoys to seaweed, kelp, and abalone farms. This year, the province plans to provide an additional 2.86 million buoys, aiming to achieve 52% of its target distribution volume (54.41 million units).

In addition, since certified buoys are three to four times more expensive than regular buoys and place a heavy burden on fishermen, the province is actively working to expand their distribution by increasing the subsidy rate (70-80%) and lowering the self-pay rate (20-30%) to reduce management costs.

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