According to NIFS, it released 400,000 juvenile sailfin sandfish in the nearshore waters of Ayajin, Goseong-gun, Gangwon Province on March 31(Tue). 

Recently, the total amount of sailfin sandfish catch* has plummeted due to increasing fishing activities with pots, which poses a imprudent harvest risk to mother sailfin sandfish, coupled with the shortened spawning period** under climate change-driven higher water temperature.

*7,462 tons (2016) → 3,067 tons (2019) → 1,409 tons (2022) → 589 tons (2025)   **Lasted for over 40 days before 2015, but less than 20 days in recent three years  

Since 2024, in this situation, NIFS has carried out the project on collection, artificial incubation, and release of the eggs shown to be attached to the nets. As a result, 400,000 juvenile sailfin sandfish - which were controlled in outdoor incubators as well as indoor rearing facilities of the East Sea Fisheries Research Institute – were released this year following last year’s 200,000 individuals. 

Celebrating fishermen’s Day, the release of this time is meaningful as an example of recovering the resources of regional specialty and increasing fishing household income. 

NIFS president Kwon Soon-wook said, “Releasing juvenile sailfin sandfish is an important field practice to solidify the foundation for sailfin sandfish stock recovery against degraded spawning environment by climate change. For stronger cooperation with fishermen and the stock recovery, NIFS will continue doing its best.”