Dongwon Industries Establishes Coastal Bluefin Tuna Distribution System... Commercializing 80 Tons

Coastal Bluefin Tuna Catch Surges Due to Climate Change
Bluefin Tuna Rapidly Frozen and Processed Within 10 Hours

Dongwon Industries announced on March 19 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Large Purse Seine Fisheries Cooperative Association to establish a domestic distribution system for bluefin tuna.

Dongwon Industries and the Large Purse Seine Fisheries Cooperative Association held a signing ceremony at the Dongwon Industries Busan Branch in Jung-gu, Busan, where they agreed to cooperate on the stable distribution and commercialization of coastal bluefin tuna. The event was attended by Park Sangjin, CEO of Dongwon Industries, Chun Geumseok, Chairman of the Large Purse Seine Fisheries Cooperative Association, as well as officials from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and Busan Metropolitan Government.

Provided by Dongwon Industries.

This year, as a pilot project, Dongwon Industries plans to purchase and commercialize approximately 80 tons of coastal bluefin tuna. Within 10 hours after catch, the heads and innards will be removed, and the fish will be rapidly frozen and processed at the factory before being supplied to major supermarkets such as Emart, hotels, restaurants, and department stores. The strategy is to enhance freshness by reducing intermediate distribution steps such as auction sales.

The company plans to expand the distribution volume to 300 tons in the future and pursue exports as well. Dongwon Industries is also considering developing a premium canned tuna product utilizing bluefin tuna in collaboration with its affiliate Dongwon F&B.

Recently, due to climate change, the catch of bluefin tuna in domestic coastal waters has increased, but the lack of a distribution system has led to some quantities being discarded. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has formed a public-private consultative body to establish a foundation for commercialization and distribution.

Through this project, Dongwon Industries aims to go beyond seafood distribution and secure high value-added marine resources. By contracting operations with coastal fishermen, the company will provide stable sales channels and expects to replace imported bluefin tuna with domestic products, thereby reducing reliance on imports.

A Dongwon Industries official stated, "We expect that Dongwon Industries, which leads the distant-water fishing industry, and the Large Purse Seine Fisheries Cooperative Association, representing the coastal fisheries, will generate significant synergy through mutual cooperation in securing food resources. We will continue to make diverse efforts for the advancement and sustainable growth of Korea's seafood industry."

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