NIFS announced that it signed MOU with Gyeongsangnam-do, Gyeongsangnam-do Fisheries Technology and Safety Research Institute, Tongyeong-si, Geoje-si, and the sea squirt hanging fisheries cooperatives on cooperation for the structure improvement and development of sea squirt aquaculture industry on May 29. 

Last year, the domestic yields* was 13,591 tons, plummeted by 45% compared with the prior year (24,694 tons), fell far short of the recent five-year average (20,845 tons). As Gyeongsangnam-do accounts for 32% of sea squirt aquaculture sites in Korea, the decreased yields had an outstanding impact on local economy,

* Sea squirt yields: 30,613 tons (’20) → 17,400 tons (’21) → 17,928 tons (’22) → 24,694 tons (’23) 

The MOU is a preemptive measure, aiming to jointly address the damage by mass mortality events of sea squirts due to high water temperature and hypoxic water mass and to promote the development of sea squirt aquaculture industry. 

In the MOU, △research on marine environment and survival rate by depth, △pilot research or training fishery, △survey of suitable areas for fishing grounds to replace under high water temperature, etc. will be conducted jointly by the six institutions.

The Southeast Sea Fisheries Research Institute of NIFS will take on the survey and analysis of bottom material, nutrient salts, and microalgae in fishing grounds. On-site tasks such as management of aquaculture organisms and installment and removal of research facilities, etc. will be conducted by the sea squirt hanging fisheries cooperatvies. Administrative support and forging a partnership for fishermen will be in charge of Gyeongsangnam-do, Tongyeong-si, and Geoje-si.