WWW.WA S .ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2022 7 in the river mouth but the habitats where they are present has been continuously decreasing (73 habitats in the early 2010s, dropping to 51 habitats at present) as habitats are damaged due to development such as river maintenance and dams or weirs. Accordingly, the MOF has designated and managed galgodung as a marine protected species since 2012. It has been developing artificial breeding technology since 2021 with the Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea and Kunsan National University. Researchers induced spawning from 20 maternal specimens obtained from Boseong, Jeollanam-do, and Goseong, Gyeongnam to secure larvae. They studied breeding conditions to induce fertilization of floating larvae, such as water temperature, salinity, light, and breeding density. In addition, they developed a bottom surface with a high rate of larvae settling and combined customized feed that can increase the growth rate of young spats. As a result, about 1,000 individuals were artificially propagated as they grew into young galgodung spats. The young galgodungs are expected to be grown in an indoor laboratory for one year and then released next year in Boseong, Jeollanam-do, one of their primary habitats. The Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea plans to continuously check whether they are well adapted to their habitats after releasing the snails while also producing and distributing manuals containing artificial breeding techniques. Gim (Laver) – Luxury Seafood Product The Act on the Promotion and Support of Gim Industry has recently come into effect. For the sustainable development and globalization of the gim (laver, Pyropia) industry, the MOF has developed this Gim Industry Act for the sustainable development and globalization of the gim industry. Gim (laver) is Korea’s top export item among seafood. However, concerns have been raised that the production of farmed laver is fluctuating due to climate change, and most processing companies operate on a small scale, which could weaken their competitiveness. The Gim Industry Act is intended to foster gim-related industries systematically. The Act stipulates essential matters necessary for fostering the gim industry, such as establishing and implementing a basic promotion plan and matters necessary for management support, such as support for the gim aquaculture industry to stabilize supply and demand and improvement of facilities for gim processing companies. It also outlines matters necessary for establishing a foundation to support the gim industry, such as nurturing related personnel and designating and operating specialized research institutes. It was designed to support the cost of publicity and research and research to promote globalization to individuals or organizations that promote the excellence of gim products or develop overseas markets. In addition, the legal basis for designating the Gim industry promotion zone, which is a kind of industrial complex that can focus on projects that enhance the domestic and overseas competitiveness of the laver industry, such as improving laver product quality and strengthening hygiene and safety management, has been prepared. In addition, local governments having jurisdiction over the promotion zone were encouraged to revitalize the promotion zone, such as establishing an action plan, support and investment plans. Gim exports reached $630 million as of November 2021. Through implementation of this Act, exports of seaweed products are anticipated to expand further. NIFS Actively Supports Eco-Friendly Trout Farming Technology to the Private Industry The NIFS announced that it will actively support eco-friendly, recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) trout farming technology to the private sector. The Central Inland Water Research Institute signed an MOU with the Korea Trout Farming Association that included dissemination and expansion of RAS for the revitalization of domestic coldwater fish (trout, salmon) aquaculture, including technology transfer training required for field management and operation. Through this MOU, a field laboratory that can analyze water quality and system efficiency was installed on a private farm. The effects of RAS and the research results on breed improvement of fast-growing rainbow trout were confirmed. The RAS enables environmental control over water temperature, making it possible to cultivate coldwater fish year-round, which is a challenge in Korea during summer. Most of the 167 farms registered with the Trout Association are in the mountainous areas of Gangwon, Chungbuk, and Gyeongbuk Provinces. Currently, only eight farms are operating with RAS. Through this MOU, the Trout Association plans to gradually expand the number of RAS, which can overcome the limitations of flow-through aquaculture technology and increase production per unit area while being eco-friendly. Adding Advanced Aquaculture Technology to Vietnam’s Blue Carbon The MOF promotes official development assistance (ODA) projects connected with mangrove forest restoration. The MOF announced that it has started a technical cooperation project to improve productivity in the aquaculture industry in northern Vietnam. The north coast of Vietnam is an area where mangrove forests and tidal flats have been developed and shellfish farming has been prevalent since the mid-1990s. However, it has been challenging to secure spat due to overfishing and coastal environmental pollution so shellfish production fell sharply. In response, the Vietnamese government requested Korea to assist with the transfer of advanced aquaculture technology in 2018. The MOF conducted a two-year pilot project, including a preliminary feasibility study and pilot operation of a shellfish farm through the NIFS. Results of the pilot project indicated that local conditions were suitable for shellfish farming. A total of KRW 3 billion will be invested for five years from this year to 2026 to start the aquaculture technology cooperation project. The MOF uses a 330-ha mangrove forest that the Korea Forest Service has been developing in northern Vietnam as part of the Carbon-Neutral ODA to create a shellfish farm and produce spats. While modernizing the market, the MOF plans to send aquaculture experts to Vietnam to conduct technology transfer and capacity-building training. The MOF expects the project will revitalize the aquaculture industry in northern Vietnam and improve residents’ income. It plans to evaluate business performance in the future and expand it to other countries with similar conditions. The technical cooperation project to improve productivity in the aquaculture industry in northern Vietnam is the first ODA project that combines advanced aquaculture technology with forest technology. — Ik Kyo Chung, President C H A P T E R R E P O R T S
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