Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Launches Comprehensive Measures to Prevent Damage from 'High Temperature and Red Tide' in Fish Farms

[Financial News] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 29th that it will establish and implement the '2025 Comprehensive Measures for High Temperature and Red Tide' to minimize damage to aquaculture seafood caused by high temperatures and red tides in the summer.
According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science, the sea temperature along the coast of Korea this summer is expected to be about 1 degree higher than the average (25 degrees). Accordingly, a high-temperature warning similar to last year's is expected to be issued at the end of July, and a red tide advisory may be issued after the end of July.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries is strengthening the damage prevention system before the full occurrence of high temperatures and red tides. From February, three months earlier than last year, response equipment such as liquefied oxygen supply devices is being provided early to fish farms, and preparations are being continuously checked through on-site inspections.
In addition, for aquaculture seafood vulnerable to high temperatures (such as black rockfish, flatfish, and abalone), supply and price trends will be provided in advance to encourage early shipment, and consumption promotion will also be supported through mutual discount events.
Response and recovery from damage will also be accelerated. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will establish an emergency response headquarters, and the National Institute of Fisheries Science and local governments will form on-site response teams to make quick decisions and respond on-site.
The procedure for emergency release of aquaculture organisms will also be simplified compared to last year. Before the announcement of the special report, the release amount will be pre-announced so that if fishermen apply, the release can be carried out quickly.
If damage occurs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and local governments plan to promptly support damage recovery and fish carcass disposal. From this year, the number of disaster insurance target species will be expanded to 30 (including whiteleg shrimp and yellowtail). Fish farms that have actively prepared for disasters by equipping response equipment, timely stocking reports, etc., can receive insurance premium discounts based on the accident-free period, and this year the target species will be expanded to 28.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and local governments are encouraging fish farms to report stocking (the act of introducing fry into fish farms) while also strengthening publicity through the Fisheries Cooperative to enable fishermen to enroll in disaster insurance.

leeyb@fnnews.com Lee Yubum Reporter