WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2015 19 these products are processed and re-exported. The major species exported to other countries included tuna, squid, conger eels, oyster, ark shells, crabs, fusiforme (Hizikia fusiformis), wakame (Undaria pinnatifida), baby clams, laver (Porphyra spp.), sea urchin, chub mackerel, horse mackerel, top shells, plaice, agaragar and flatfish. Contribution to the Economy and Employment Although the output of Korean aquaculture accounted for less than 1 percent of the country’s GDP in 2000, the sector has had a positive effect on the economic development of the country. Other than providing jobs for many rural people, it has promoted the development of related industries, such as hatcheries, feed and food processing, transportation, sales and export. Aquaculture also plays an important role in food security, because the country is located on a peninsula with a high population density and limited arable land. Production from capture fisheries, together with that from aquaculture, is critical to the nation’s food security. In 2013, the aquaculture industry employed 5,760 people (KOSTAT 2014). Apart from the people directly involved in aquaculture, many others are engaged in subsidiary sectors, including research and development. The number of fish-culture households was 1,862 in the first half of 2013, indicating a decline by 6.5 percent from the previous year (KOSTAT 2014). These people and households are concentrated around major cities and provinces, including Busan, Incheon, Ulsan (cities), Kyonggi, Kangwon, Chungnam, Chonbuk, Chonnam, Kyongbuk, Kyongnam and Jeju (provinces). Three of these provinces — Chonnam, Kyongnam and Chungnam — are areas with the highest employers of labor in the aquaculture industry. Bottlenecks and the Way Out In finfish culture operations, farmers are not aware of the risks and consequences of water pollution, disease outbreaks and high production costs associated with the use of moist pellet. The misconception regarding the inefficiency of extruded pellets to promote optimum growth and survival is the major reason behind the widespread use of moist pellets in marine aquaculture. Similarly, Korean abalone aquaculture is suffering from feed-related challenges because the common feeding practice for abalone aquaculture is dependent on dietary kelp. Although efficient and cost-effective commercial feeds are available, farmers are using more than 30 kg of kelp to produce 1 kg of abalone. Awareness creation towards appropriate feeding using integrated intervention by universities, research institutes and government agencies can bring a paradigm shift by farmers regarding the utilization of moist pellets and kelp in finfish and abalone culture operations, respectively. The lack of seed and inappropriate feeding has hampered the expansion of the aquaculture of fish species such as sturgeon and eel, with considerable commercial potential. However, a new eel hatchery system was established in 2012, opening a new avenue on the journey to put Korea on the global freshwater aquaculture map. Declining seaweed beds and disease are also posing a threat to Korea’s seaweed production. Research activities that focus on maximization of seaweed production are required. Concluding Remarks Domestic seafood production from the wild capture fisheries will not increase significantly in the future due to the gradual decline in resources, the enforcement of EEZ by adjacent countries and the enforcement of the optimal fishing effort by downsizing and reducing the number of fishing vessels. After implementation of the free-trade agreement, importing countries will continue to enjoy exploiting the Korean seafood market. Undoubtedly, if self-sufficiency for seafood does not increase further, seafood will be a luxury dish rather than the primary protein source for poor community in the country. However, at present the only alternative industry to respond to the high seafood demand is aquaculture. Curbing the use of moist pellets, trash fish and conventional chemicals are of urgent need to nurture this industry. Efforts to encourage farmers to use extruded pellets and to inspire responsible and meaningful husbandry in coastal aquaculture are needed. Alternate uses of resources, organic and integrated aquaculture could be some of the logical steps towards sustainability and maintain harmony with the already-stressed coastal environment. Culture practices need thorough revision and a continuous synergetic approach for the further development and innovation from the government, research centers, stakeholders and farmers to achieve the predicted development of aquaculture. Finally the country is open to foreign investment in the Korean domestic seafood production industry, including aquafeed manufacturing and seafood processing. Notes Use of the name Korea in this article refers to the Republic of Korea, otherwise known as South Korea. Hyeonho Yun, Fasil Taddese and Sungchul C. Bai, Department of Marine Bio-Materials & Aquaculture/Feeds & Foods Nutrition Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea. Corresponding author: Sungchul C. Bai, telephone: +82-516297922, fax: +82-51-6286873, scbai@pknu.ac.kr. References Bai, S.C. and K.W. Kim. 2001. Present status and future prospects of aquaculture in Korea. World Aquaculture 32(2):28-33. Bai, S.C., Kataya, K. and Park, G. 2013. Current status and future vision for aquaculture in the Republic of Korea. Aquainfo. Special Issue, 4-19. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). 2005-2015. National Aquaculture Sector Overview. Republic of Korea. National Aquaculture Sector Overview Fact Sheets. Text by Bai, S.C. In: FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department [online]. Rome. Updated 1 October 2005. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). 2012. Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics. Yearbook. Rome . FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). 2014. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA). Rome. KOSTAT (Statistics Korea). 2014. Fisheries Census Report. kostat.go.gr
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