The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS; President Kwon Soon-wook) announced that the South Sea Fisheries Research Institute of NIFS and the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Ocean and Fisheries Research Institute signed a MOU for climate change response and marine environment research on August 4 (Tue), aiming to enhance the marine environmental observation. 

With the frequent occurrence of abnormal ocean conditions, such as high water temperatures, the inflow of Changjiang diluted water, etc., the risks of fisheries disasters in the South Sea and the waters off Jeju Island have been growing. Accordingly, the two institutes agreed to strengthen marine observation and research cooperation to proactively respond to fisheries disasters.

Under the MOU, the two institutes will promote the exchange of observation data and research information through △cooperation on marine observation in the western South Sea and Jeju waters, △monitoring the inflow of low salinity water, △strengthening joint research on fisheries disasters caused by high and low water temperatures.

Taking the MOU, the two institutes will link their marine observation infrastructure to detect abnormal ocean conditions early in Jeju waters, which serve as a gateway from the East China Sea to the South Sea, to address gaps in marine observation, thereby enhancing their capacity to respond to fisheries disasters. 

"As the waters off Jeju and in the South Sea are among the areas most immediately affected by climate change, a proactive response based on scientific observation is more important than ever," Director-general Kim Young-ok of the South Sea Fisheries Research Institute said. "By leveraging the observation infrastructure and research capabilities of both institutes, we will respond more effectively to climate change while doing our utmost to prevent fisheries disasters and provide on-site support."