Selection of 24 projects including 'Construction of smart sea-cage farms' — Accelerating expansion of eco-friendly, high-value aquaculture and smart farms
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries' 2026 call for proposals, "Promotion of Eco-Friendly Aquaculture (Advanced Eco-Friendly Aquaculture System Support)," selected 24 sites in Gyeongnam Province, securing a total project budget of 13.6 billion KRW (10.2 million USD) (6.8 billion KRW (5.1 million USD) in national funds). Provincial officials say the funding will accelerate the rollout of eco-friendly, smart aquaculture for key local species such as rockfish, red sea bream and oysters.
The program, run by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, aims to foster a sustainable, high-value aquaculture sector by introducing advanced, eco-friendly farming technologies. This year the ministry solicited subsidy recipients nationwide with a program budget of 25.0 billion KRW (18.75 million USD), including 12.5 billion KRW (9.375 million USD) in national funds.
Working with municipal governments, fisheries cooperatives and aquaculture operators, Gyeongnam secured support for 24 projects: 21 smart sea-cage farms (total project budget 8.2 billion KRW (6.15 million USD)), one land-based oyster hatchery with a recirculating filtration system (1.4 billion KRW (1.05 million USD)), one land-based halibut nursery/grow‑out facility (2.0 billion KRW (1.5 million USD)), and one land-based eel farm with a recirculating filtration system (2.0 billion KRW (1.5 million USD)). The selected projects total 13.6 billion KRW (10.2 million USD), representing more than half of the nationwide funding allocated under this year's program.
The province concentrated its applications on expanding smart sea-cage farms. Since 2019 through last year, 43 sites in Gyeongnam (total project budget 14.0 billion KRW (10.5 million USD)) have already received support. The program will fund smart management centers for sea-cage farms equipped with automated feeding systems and real-time water-quality monitoring, measures the province expects will increase productivity and improve food safety.
Lee Sang-hoon, director of the Provincial Department of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said, "To respond to accelerating outmigration from coastal communities and rising fishing operation costs, building eco-friendly, smart farms is essential. We will do our best not only to increase aquaculture farmers' incomes but also to supply residents with high-quality seafood produced in a clean, safe environment."
Gyeongnam — Jeong Do-jeong, reporter sos6831@viva100.com
