'Red Tide Emergency' Advisory Expanded... Jeonnam Mobilizes All-Out Efforts to Minimize Damage

Red Tide Advisory Issued for Deukryang Bay,
Preliminary Advisory for Southwestern South Sea
Concerns Over Red Tide Spread During Spring Tide...
Enhanced Control and Monitoring Measures

Jeonnam Province is spreading loess soil to prevent the spread of red tides. Photo by Jeonnam Province

Jeonnam Province plans to strengthen its red tide prevention and monitoring efforts, centering on the Red Tide Countermeasure Headquarters, following the issuance of a red tide advisory for Deukryang Bay and a preliminary advisory for the southwestern coast of the South Sea.

According to Jeonnam Province on September 11, as of 2:00 p.m. on September 10, the red tide advisory was expanded in the existing areas of Gamak Bay and the eastern South Sea off Jeonnam.

A preliminary red tide advisory is issued when the concentration of Cochlodinium exceeds 10 cells/mL, an advisory is issued at 100 cells/mL or more, and a warning is issued at 1,000 cells/mL or more.

With the arrival of the spring tide, Jeonnam Province is focusing on preventing the spread of red tides and protecting fish farms by deploying additional control vessels, expanding the area of loess soil dispersal, and increasing the frequency of monitoring. This is due to the high likelihood of red tide bands entering nearby fish farms and the continued water temperatures of 22 to 27°C, which are optimal for the growth of Cochlodinium, the red tide-causing algae.

So far, 5,350 tons of loess soil have been dispersed, and 51 pieces of equipment, including loess transport vessels and excavators, as well as 164 ships, have been mobilized to enhance the effectiveness of waterborne control. In addition, on-site response teams have been deployed at all times to provide rapid control support.

In particular, emergency release of farmed fish is underway to minimize damage to aquaculture. In the advisory areas, 64.07 million farmed fish, including red sea bream and black porgy, are being raised, of which 4.23 million have been released as an emergency measure. Additional requests for release will also be processed promptly.

Jeonnam Province is conducting daily intensive monitoring in areas under the red tide advisory, promptly sharing the results with fishermen and reflecting them in control operations.

Jeon Changwoo, Director of the Eco-Friendly Fisheries Division of Jeonnam Province, stated, "As the risk of red tide spreading is high this week, we will do our utmost to further strengthen control and monitoring to minimize damage," and urged, "Fish farmers in affected areas should strictly follow management guidelines, such as stopping feed supply and operating oxygen generators at night."

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