WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • SEPTEMBER 2019 7 CHAPTER REPORTS The Korean Federation of Fisheries Seed Industry Associations (tentative title, hereinafter referred to as the Federation of Associations) held a promoters’ meeting in July and decided to hold a foundational general meeting as soon as possible. It has been difficult for groups of individual seed varieties to manage the overall fisheries seed industry. Five members were elected for the promoting committee, including the Korea Fishery Seed Association (Mr. Wan-gyu Park, President), the Korean Trout Culture Association (Mr. Ju-hyung Park, Past-president), the Korea Laver Seed Producers’ Association (Mr. Jae-young Lee, President), Korean Sea Cucumber Association (Mr. Beom-cheol Kim, President), and Koran Abalone Seed Association (President). Mr. Wan-gyu Park was elected as chairperson. The committee will promote the establishment of the Association under the Fisheries Seed Industry Promotion Act,and plans to produce and disseminate marine fish, shellfish, algae, inland and other aquaculture species to its members. An operational plan will be developed during the foundational general meeting in consultation with the promotion committee. Reducing Body Fat with Gelidium The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) and the Korean Institute of Marine Science and Technology announced that Gelidium as a health/functional food material to reduce body fat has been developed through the Seafood Industry Technology Development Project. The MOF has been pushing forward with the project to develop raw materials that can improve human health by utilizing fisheries products. The research team proved the effectiveness of the Gelidium extract in helping to reduce body fat. Gelidium extract reduces the synthesis and accumulation of fat by inhibiting the expression of major genes related to fat differentiation (PPAR-γ, C /EBP-α) and inhibits gene expression related to fat synthesis and accumulation. In addition, as a result of evaluating the safety of the material through human application testing, the product demonstrated clinically satisfactory safety and subjects showed improvement in body fat and weight loss after ingesting Gelidium extract. Certification of the functional ingredients for health/functional food (No. 2019-9, Gelidium extract) was obtained from the Korea Food and Drug Administration. The research team plans to develop and launch a health/functional food and launch the new product using Gelidium extract by 2020. The MOF expects the development of health/functional foods using Gelidium will increase the added value of domestic seaweeds and contribute to the improvement of public health. Low Risk of Colon Cancer by Seaweed Diet People who eat a lot of seaweed (kelp) have a low risk of colon cancer. Drs. Jimi Kim and Jeongseon Kim, a team of the National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy (NCC-GCSP) analyzed the effects of seaweed intake on the incidence of colorectal cancer in 923 colon cancer patients and 1,846 healthy control groups. The group with the highest intake had a 35 percent lower risk of colon cancer than the group with the least intake. By type of seaweeds, Dashima (Saccharina or Laminaria) and Miyeok (Undaria) reduced the risk of colon cancer by 42 percent and 18 percent, respectively. In the case of Kim (Pyropia or Porphyra), however, no effect was observed. Kim is a common seaweed, but it is usually eaten as a seasoned processed food, so it doesn’t seem to have the same beneficial effect as seaweeds or kelp. Seaweed intake also affects mutations (monopolymorphisms) of genes associated with colorectal cancer. The researchers found that. among the three genotypes of GG, GT, and TT expressed in colorectal cancer-associated mutations (rs6983267, rs7014346, and rs719725GG), TT genotypes have a 48 percent and 55 percent lower risk of colon cancer and colorectal cancer, respectively. In contrast, the GG and GT genotypes did not have this relationship. Seaweeds (Miyeok and Dashima) collected from the waters of Korea are rich in biologically active substances that enhance the antioxidant function of the body. Thus, human consumption of seaweeds is a preventative tool in the fight against colon cancer. The findings were published in the latest issue of the European Journal of Nutrition (Kim, J., Lee, J., Oh, J.H. et al. Eur J Nutr (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02046-w) The 2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo The 2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo will be held at Wando Port Seaside Park and Shinji Long-Beach for 24 days from April 16 to May 9, under the theme of “The Sea of Healing, the Future of Hope Opened by Seaweeds.” More than 30 countries will participate in this event, and exhibitions, hands-on events, expert consultations and academic conferences will be held. The 2021 Wando International Seaweed Expo is sponsored by the MOF and organized by Jeollanam-do and Wando-do. Previous seaweed expos were held in 2014 and 2017. The event has been an opportunity for Korea to demonstrate leadership in the global seaweed industry and has contributed to the promotion of domestic and international consumption of seaweeds, such as laver and kelps, and the growth of related industries. The MOF and Wando County highlighted the need and effect of promoting international events based on the international community’s interest in the domestic seaweed industry, including visits to local seaweed farms. Seaweed exports are breaking records every year. The 19th International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding (ISFNF) The 19th International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding (ISFNF) will be held in Busan, Republic of Korea, from May 31 to June 5, 2020. ISFNF is the premier international forum for researchers, academics and industry leaders concerned with the nutrition and feed of aquatic animals. Here, you will be able to discuss new technologies, techniques and topics within the aquaculture industry. Busan is the second largest city and a major international shipping hub and home to a renowned culinary scene, flourishing fishery industry, endless hiking trails and a vibrant night life. We invite you to ISFNF 2020 BUSAN and look forward to seeing you in 2020. — Jin-Hyung Yoo, President
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