Gareolim Bay Designated as Korea's First "National Marine Ecological Park"

Global Recognition as One of the World's Top Five Tidal Flats
Creating a Marine Ecological Space Harmonizing Conservation and Tourism by 2030

Gareolim Bay in South Chungcheong Province has been designated as Korea's first National Marine Ecological Park, overcoming the controversy over tidal power generation and being recognized as a new model for the nation's marine ecological policy.

The South Chungcheong Provincial Government will launch a marine ecological restoration and tourism project worth 120 billion won by 2030 and is working to have the area listed as a World Heritage site.

The province announced on December 2 that Gareolim Bay, one of the world's top five tidal flats and the nation's largest marine protected area, has been officially designated as the first National Marine Ecological Park.

This designation is especially significant as it marks the first case in which a region long divided over tidal power generation has shifted to a national project that balances preservation with sustainable use. The central government and South Chungcheong Province plan to create a marine ecological space with a total investment of 120 billion won by 2030.

At an economic ministers' meeting held on the same day, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced the "Strategy for Designation and Operation of National Marine Ecological Parks," which includes designating Gareolim Bay, Shinan and Muan in South Jeolla Province, Yeojaman in South Jeolla Province, and Homibando in North Gyeongsang Province as National Marine Ecological Parks.

Gareolim Bay is the only marine protected area in the country where spotted seals can be observed from land, and its high economic and ecological value based on tidal flats was highly regarded.

In particular, the detailed systematic conservation plan and sustainable use strategy proposed by the South Chungcheong Provincial Government played a decisive role in the designation, according to officials.

Since Gareolim Bay was designated a marine protected area in 2016, the province has continued to develop policies, including proposing the concept of a "National Marine Garden" to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

In 2022, the province led the revision of the Marine Ecosystem Act, laying the groundwork for the designation of National Marine Ecological Parks. After the amendment, it proactively prepared a strategy focused on marine ecological restoration.

Going forward, the province will focus on passing the preliminary feasibility study and securing the 120 billion won project budget. It also aims to have the area listed as a World Natural Heritage site at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee to be held in Busan in July.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to complete the designation process within this year. The three main strategies presented are: strengthening marine ecosystem conservation, promoting the sustainable use of marine resources, and establishing a cooperative management foundation.

Key action items include establishing customized protection systems, fostering citizen monitoring groups, creating blue carbon habitats, and advancing an integrated management system. The government aims to attract 10 million annual visitors by 2030 through these strategies.

Jeon Sangwook, Director of the Provincial Bureau of Oceans and Fisheries, stated, "The designation as the first National Marine Ecological Park is the result of more than a decade of collaboration among residents, politicians, and experts," and added, "We will develop the Boryeong tidal flats into a globally recognized marine ecological hub."

Meanwhile, according to the 2023 National Marine Ecosystem Survey, Gareolim Bay is home to the largest number of large benthic species in Korea and is considered a key area of biodiversity, inhabited by endangered species such as the Black-faced Spoonbill and the Chinese Egret, both listed by the IUCN.

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