WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 5 Korean Chapter Using blue carbon science in the seaweed aquaculture industry The Korean Chapter president, Prof. Ik Kyo Chung was invited to a workshop of the International Blue Carbon Scientific Working Group on October 29-30 at the UNESCO offices in Paris, France. He presented a talk entitled of “Using blue carbon science in the seaweed aquaculture industry.” This workshop focused on remote sensing and mapping issues related to carbon and coastal ecosystems as part of the activities of the Blue Carbon Initiative, a global program working to mitigate climate change through the restoration and sustainable use of coastal and marine ecosystems. This event was funded by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) and coordinated by Conservation International, IUCN, and UNESCO. (thebluecarboninitiative.org/category/working-groups/scientific/) The world’s first mitochondrial genome of Pyropia tenera (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) Drs. Mi Sook Hwang, Seung-Oh Kim and Dong-Soo Ha at the Aquatic Plant Variety Center, NFRDI (President YoungHoon Chung) and Ms. Jee Eun Lee and Dr. Sang-Rae Lee at the Marine Research Institute, Pusan National University reported the complete mitochondrial genome of Pyropia tenera (‘chamgim’ in Korean) to the journal of Plant Biotechnology Reports in October, 2013 (link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11816-013-0281-4). Pyropia tenera mtDNA had a larger size (42,268 bp) than the mtDNA sequences of Porphyra and Pyropia (‘gim’ is the Korean common name) reported previously. The unique features of Pyropia tenera mtDNA include the complete sequence of red algal mtDNA for investigating mtDNA evolution and developing molecular markers for species identification. In addition, red algal mtDNA can provide useful information as a genetic reservoir for bioengineering. (Hwang et al. 2013. Complete sequence and genetic features of the mitochondrial genome of Pyropia tenera (Rhodophyta). Plant Biotechnology Reports 7:435-443.) The Second Steering/Program Committee Meeting for World Aquaculture 2015 in Jeju The second meeting of the Steering and Program Committee for World Aquaculture 2015 was held on October 21 at ICC, Jeju, Korea. The meeting was attended by Jay Parsons, Program Co-Chair and Kwang-Sik Choi, Korea Co-Chair, Bill Daniels, WASSC, Jeong Yeol Lee, Ik Kyo Chung, Sukgeun Jung and Geun-Su Jang, Korean-SC, Roy Palmer and Sungchul Bai, PC, and John Cooksey and Mario Stael, WAS Conferences. Lukas Manomaitis, WAS-SC and Craig Browdy, IPC joined through Skype. During the session, the conference theme of “Aquaculture for Healthy People, Planet and Profit” was approved by the Steering Committee. There will be student contest for a logo using this theme. The tentative schedule, programs and other business matters were discussed. Mr. Young-Hoon Chung, New President of NFRDI The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) welcomed its new president Mr. Young-Hoon Chung on August 27. The Korean Chapter welcomes him and expects a positive outcome from his creative and experienced leadership in the fisheries industry and research. (www.nfrdi.re.kr/page?id=en2_ sub400). Fisheries Disaster Research and Development Forum (NFRDI) NFRDI declared the launch of the Fisheries Disaster Research and Development Forum at Lotte Hotel Busan, Busan, Korea on October 10. There are four task-teams on harmful algal blooms, radioactivity, jellyfish and environmental extremes in the forum. More than 150 specialists attended the ceremony starting the forum. Aquaculture Business Start-up Technology Support Center (NFRDI) 2013 Annual Achievement Report The annual achievement report and meeting of the Aquaculture Business Start-up Technology Support Center, NFRDI was held on November 6-7 at the Arpina Hotel, Busan Korea. Information on government support policies, environmentally-friendly IMTA and prospects for the ornamental fishery and inland fisheries were introduced during the event. They shared information and know-how of startups. The Aquaculture Business Startup Technology Education in shellfish, crustaceans, algae and inland waters is provided by the Center. This education program started in 2005 and produced about 450 graduates working with 22 species by 2012. A total of 136 people working with 9 species completed education in this year. About half of the graduates are now in business and NFRDI promised to support graduates in the successful establishment of start-up businesses and in strengthening the Center’s activities. — Ik Kyo Chung, President CHAPTER REPORTS Photo: E. Macaya.
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