WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2024 13 CHAPTER REPORTS farms. As of April 1, the scope of HACCP registration for aquaculture farms has expanded to include offshore farms such as cages, embarkment pond farms, and aquatic seed farms. Farms wishing to register with HACCP can apply safety management certification standards such as drugs, feed, water management, and HACCP operational plans. For the application process, farmers are advised to apply to the National Fisheries Quality Management Service, which serves as the screening agency. They guide producers through the necessary steps and ensure a smooth application process. After the application, registration is completed upon approval through documentation and on-site inspections. The local governments where the farms are located conduct regular inspections every two years to maintain the initial certification standards. Minister Kang Do-Hyung emphasized the importance of the farm HACCP system in producing safe marine products. He stated, “We urge aquaculture farmers’ active interest and participation. The government is fully committed to providing various support measures to activate the farm HACCP system.” It reaffirms the government’s dedication to the safety of farmed seafood and the success of the HACCP initiative. Collaboration to Develop New Aquaculture Varieties in Response to Climate Change The Subtropical Fisheries Research Institute of the National Institute of Fisheries Science, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (President Choi Yong-Seok, NIFS) signed a business agreement (MOU) with the Gyeongsangnam-do Fisheries Resources Research Institute (Director, Lee Cheol-Soo) to develop new aquaculture varieties in response to climate change on April 25. The collaborators are actively conducting aquaculture-based research on various valuable marine fish species. Through a business agreement, they will establish a research promotion system that can more effectively respond to climate change. The main contents of the agreement include sharing research results on Korea’s major aquaculture varieties, promoting joint research on developing new aquaculture varieties in response to climate change, and jointly using research organisms and facilities. Before the agreement, on April 5, the Subtropical Fisheries Research Institute distributed 1,500 Parapristipoma trilineatum (Benjari in Korean), which are being studied as a new aquaculture breed, at the request of the Gyeongsangnam-do Fisheries Resources Research Institute. Through research on cultivating new breeds at the aquarium, Benjari has been confirmed to be a fish species resistant to environmental changes (water temperature, salinity, etc.). Fishermen have requested the development of farming technology and seed supply for this species. Mr. Lee Jeong-Yong, Subtropical Fisheries Research Institute Director, said, “As part of this agreement and active administration, we will do our best to develop new aquaculture varieties to respond to climate change through scientific research and advanced aquaculture technology of both organizations.” Korea-US Expert Seminar for the Development of Shellfish Aquaculture The NIFS of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries held a ‘KoreaUS Expert Seminar for the Development of Shellfish Farming’ with the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) at the South Sea Fisheries Research Institute (Yeosu, Jeollanam-do) on April 25. The seminar was graced by the presence of esteemed shellfish experts from both countries, who shared their insights on various topics, including the rich history of the aquaculture industry in Rhode Island, USA, and the current status of the shellfish and abalone aquaculture industry in Korea. In his presentation, Professor Michael A. Rice (University of Rhode Island, USA), a renowned American shellfish scientist, emphasized the effects of climate change and eco-friendly farming, such as changes in breeding time and production instability due to rising water temperatures in the current aquaculture environment. Both the US and Korea are grappling with unique challenges in the shellfish farming industry. The US, for instance, is contending with the gradual shrinkage of aquaculture at sea due to the tightening of coastal environmental regulations. In Korea, shellfish such as abalone, oysters, clams, and cockles produced around 500,000 tons annually in 2023, accounting for about 15% of the total aquaculture production. However, the effects of climate change, such as repeated occurrences of natural disaster damage and decreased productivity, are appearing, so systematic research and response are needed. Mr. Jeon Je-Cheon (Director of the South Sea Fisheries Research Center, NIFS) said, “In the future, we will expand exchanges between shellfish farming experts from both countries and share research results on changes in the marine environment, shellfish farming, and social and economic impacts, and conduct research that will substantially contribute to increasing farmed shellfish production.” — Ik Kyo Chung, President World Aquaculture Society Student Association The World Aquaculture Society Student Association is composed of students and senior WAS members dedicated to providing students with beneficial opportunities during conferences and throughout the year. During WAS chapter and annual meetings, the Student Activities Committee organizes special workshops and seminars, provides complimentary roommate services, hosts student socials, and provides helpful information for all students. Since its beginning, the membership in WAS has grown to more than 3,000 members in about 100 countries representing the global aquaculture community.
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