FIRA Holds Session on Marine Ecosystem Management, Restoration at 2022 WISS

Chairman Lee Chun-woo of Korea Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA) speaks at the special session, dubbed “Management of Maritime Ecosystem and Recovery of Marine Ecosystem,” during the 2022 Wando International Seaweed Symposium (2022 WISS) held in May.

Korea Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA) participated in the 2022 Wando International Seaweed Symposium (2022 WISS) held in May and operated “Management of Maritime Ecosystem and Recovery of Marine Ecosystem,” a special session designed to advertise the outcome of marine forest projects in Korea and abroad.

2022 WISS is an international seaweed symposium held in Wando annually since 2013. FIRA arranged the special session to have the outcomes of its marine forest construction projects known to Korean and foreign seaweed experts, and raise its international standing toward the expertise of the projects, a FIRA official said.

The special session was divided into four parts — with speeches about the topic Marine Forest and the Role of FIRA (by FIRA Chairman Lee Chun-woo), Marine Forest Project in Korea (by Choi Yong-woo), Marine Ecosystem Monitoring and Management Efforts in Korea, (by Dr. Kim Young-nam of Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM), and a lecture on the topic Factors governing Carbon Dynamics in a Macroalgal Habitat (by Prof. Lee Ki-taek of POSTECH).

The session also introduced marine forest management technology and project outcomes, marine resources managements institutions’ roles and efforts to monitor and manage the marine ecosystem.

Participating experts called for scientific theory confirmation related to field applications of technologies to restore marine ecosystems and continued research activities. The session served as an opportunity for the possible inclusion of seaweed in blue carbon.

Chairman Choi Han-gil of the Korean Society of Phycology said the session reconfirmed the importance of the marine forest project, and many scholars were making efforts to include seaweed in blue carbon.

He said with the symposium, FIRA and the Korean Society of Phycology will continue exchanges and make mutual efforts to restore Korea’s fishing resources and marine environment.

HIRA plans to hold seminars and symposiums with stakeholders such as associations, related bodies, experts and people in the fishing industry. To expand a cooperative networking and ramp up communications with the private sector.

HIRA Chairman Lee said, “HIRA will make efforts to lead global leadership in restoring marine forests and improving the coastal ecosystem by continuously expanding global information technology networking.

Participants, including Rep. Yoon Jae-gap from Yeongam, Wando and Jindo constituent and FIRA Chairman Lee Chun-woo pose at 20222 WISS. (Photos: FIRA)

FIRA Headquarters, Suncheon City Release Garlic Clam Seeds in Suncheon Bay Area

FIRA Headquarters released 870,000 garlic clam seeds with a size of 1 cm or more in the Suncheon Bay area, including Yongdu, Geocha, Shindeok , Gojang and Waon, on May 9.

Under an MOU signed with Suncheon City, FIRA Headquarters alternated the release of garlic clam and red cockle seeds to restore marine resources. FIRA Headquarters, Suncheon City and people in the fishing industry participated in the latest release.