Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries launches comprehensive high-temperature and red tide plan, with record distribution of liquid oxygen supply systems and other gear; alerts expected in early-to-mid July; production costs now covered in disaster recovery support

Photo is unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]
Photo is unrelated to the article. [Getty Images Bank]

With sea temperatures around the Korean Peninsula forecast to run more than 1 degree Celsius above normal this summer, the government is rolling out high-water-temperature and red tide response equipment on a record scale to prevent damage to aquaculture operations.

South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Thursday it had established and would begin implementing its "2026 Comprehensive High Water Temperature and Red Tide Countermeasures" to minimize losses to farmed marine products during the summer months.

According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science's seasonal ocean forecasting system, water temperatures across most of the country's coastal waters are expected to exceed normal levels by more than 1 degree this summer. High water temperature advisories are likely to be issued in early-to-mid July — earlier than last year — while red tide advisories are expected from late July onward.

The ministry is prioritizing field-level prevention. The real-time water temperature monitoring network will expand from 200 stations last year to 210 this year. To boost aquaculture farms' capacity to respond, the budget for distributing high-temperature response equipment — including liquid oxygen supply systems and deep-water intake systems — has been raised 31 percent, from 5.8 billion won (about $3,830,000) last year to 7.6 billion won this year.

For species particularly vulnerable to high temperatures — including rockfish, flounder and abalone — the ministry plans to provide supply and price trend information and encourage early harvesting by linking it to consumer promotion events.

The ministry is also strengthening its disaster response framework. It will operate an emergency task force calibrated to the level of crisis alerts and conduct on-site inspections. An emergency release system will also be in place, allowing farms to quickly release fish at risk of mass die-offs to reduce losses.

Recovery and business stabilization support will also be improved. Previously, only fingerling stocking costs were covered; starting this year, the recovery support range expands to include production costs such as feed, fuel and labor. For disaster insurance, policies triggered by abnormal weather events will be exempt from premium surcharges the following year, and the range of covered species will be broadened.

The ministry is also pursuing structural reforms to the aquaculture industry in response to climate change. It will operate seasonal relocation programs that move farmed organisms to cooler waters, and will support pilot aquaculture projects for species conversion as well as the development of heat-tolerant breeds.

Choe Hyeon-ho, director general for fisheries policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said last year, thanks to active cooperation from local governments and fishers, damage was cut by 87 percent compared to the previous year despite a record 85-day stretch of high water temperatures. "This summer as well, we will strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies and fishers to actively respond and minimize damage," he said.


adastra@heraldcorp.com