NIFS announced that as the result of the research on fisheries resources in the Korean exclusive economic zone (EEZ) this year, it confirmed the expansion of spawning areas of subtropical fish and the inflow of new young species into the waters. 

The Fisheries Resources Research Institute of NIFS has conducted the research since 2017, and the result shows the expansion of areas to sample eggs of subtropical fish species - such as bluefin tuna, kawakawa, bullet tuna, common dolphinfish, etc. - as well as the hike in the population density. 

In case of bluefin tuna whose eggs were sampled for the first time near Dokdo Island in 2021, this year found the eggs not only in the extensive areas across Southern Sea including the western part of Jeju Island, but also in the increased population density. 

In addition, it confirmed the first appearance of eight young fish species* - which mainly habitat in subtropical sea areas – in Korean sea areas in February and May of this year through morphological and genetic analysis.

* Pseudogramma polyacantha, Symphurus leucochilus, Vinciguerria nimbaria, Nealotus tripes, Lampanyctus alatus, Symbolophorus evermanni, Symphysanodon typus, Triphoturus nigrescens 

Particularly, the two species out of the eight (P. polyacantha, S. leucochilus) were confirmed to be the one mainly habitating in tropical sea areas, which led to the analysis that water temperature rise in Korean sea areas affects the spawning areas and distiribution of marine life. The research institute of NIFS is going to report the newly-found eight species to the academy as the new record to Korea following the rigorous analysis.