Introduction

South Korea, a nation with a long maritime history, has seen significant growth in its aquaculture industry in recent decades. Aquaculture plays a crucial role in the South Korean economy, providing food, employment and contributing to international trade. Dibaq has been working on the future challenges of aquaculture in South Korea for years.

The history of aquaculture in South Korea dates back centuries, with traditional practices of growing fish and shellfish in ponds and shorelines. However, it was in the second half of the 20th century that aquaculture began to develop as a modern industry. Government development programs and advanced technologies enabled rapid and significant expansion of the industry.

Today, South Korea is one of the main aquaculture producers worldwide. The industry focuses on farming fish, shellfish and algae, with species such as abalone, shrimp and flatfish being the most common. Advanced technology, scientific research and sustainable management practices have contributed to the success of South Korean aquaculture.

Dibaq works in Korea with products for salmon, trout, mullet, flatfish. In addition, it exports functional feed for bream, salmon and trout.

Future Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its success, aquaculture in South Korea faces several challenges. Water pollution, competition for coastal space, and fish disease are major concerns that require innovative solutions. Additionally, climate change presents additional challenges, such as rising water temperatures and extreme weather events.

There is growing concern that pollution could affect fishing and aquaculture production14 due to the recovery works and construction of industrial complexes in the southern and western coastal districts of the country.

Recently, integrated aquaculture management has created an alternative plan to overcome problems such as red tide, typhoon and pollution caused by human activities.6 In this plan, the scope of “aquaculture land” extends to the open areas. It is divided into three subdivisions: terrestrial aquaculture, polytrophic aquaculture and offshore aquaculture, which are relatively new concepts in the Korean aquaculture industry.

However, there are also exciting opportunities for the future of aquaculture in South Korea. The development of sustainable technologies, such as aquaponics and offshore aquaculture, could increase productivity and reduce environmental impact. Additionally, growing global demand for seafood offers an expanding market for South Korean producers.