Jeollanam-do Expands Artificial Reefs to Restore Fishery Resources

Jeonnam Province expects positive effects such as the installation of artificial reefs and the restoration of marine resources. Photo by Jeonnam Province

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Jeollanam-do announced that it will deploy 960 artificial reefs across 64 hectares in nine marine areas within four cities and counties?Yeosu, Wando, Jindo, and Sinan?in order to preserve the marine ecosystem and restore fishery resources.

This year, with an investment of 3.8 billion won, artificial reefs suitable for each marine area will be installed after considering the resident aquatic species, seabed topography, and sediments of each area. By providing spawning grounds, habitats, and shelters for fish, the project is expected to further enrich fishery resources.

Artificial reefs, often called ‘fish houses,’ are structures installed in marine areas to create spawning grounds, habitats, and shelters for aquatic species.

Artificial reefs not only provide environments for fish, but also for shellfish, seaweed, and mollusks, thereby supporting the creation of habitats for various aquatic species. It has been found that areas with artificial reefs yield 2.8 times higher catches than areas without them.

Jeollanam-do convened the Jeollanam-do Artificial Reef Management Committee, which is composed of university professors, research institutes, and fishers who are experts in artificial reefs. The committee reviewed and finalized this year’s artificial reef project plan and issued construction orders early, aiming to complete the project by November.

Since 1971, Jeollanam-do has installed approximately 310,000 artificial reefs across 46,618 hectares of marine areas. The province is also making every effort in post-management, such as removing abandoned fishing nets and other debris around the reefs to restore their function.

Jeon Changwoo, Director of the Eco-friendly Fisheries Division of Jeollanam-do, stated, “The installation of artificial reefs will not only increase the income of fishers but also contribute to the creation of sustainable fishery resources. We will continue to conduct regular post-monitoring to analyze the effects and do our utmost to restore fishery resources through thorough post-management.”

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