[Suwan News = Kim Dong-ju, Head of News Operations] Gangneung City is launching a project to restore the habitat for rock-dwelling algae in the coastal waters off Sacheon-myeon.
"Coastal bleaching" refers to a phenomenon in which seaweed disappears from coastal rock surfaces and white calcareous algae attach to them, turning the rocks white. It is a prime example of marine ecosystem degradation that destroys habitats for marine life and leads to a decline in fishery resources.
This restoration project is expected to restore the coastal ecosystem and enhance the benefits of the marine forest.
The city plans to invest 200 million won to remove marine algae that has formed on the bedrock in a 2.54-hectare area off the coast of Sacheon by January 2026, using underwater jet devices.
To date, we have been systematically removing coastal erosion in Gangmun (0.94 ha) in 2021, Jumun-ri (1.13 ha) in 2022, 5.38 ha in Jumun-ri in 2023, and 2.57 ha in Yeongjin in 2024, and
Through this project, we expect the corroded bedrock to recover fully and for seaweed spores to attach to the natural bedrock, allowing the seaweed to thrive.
Seo Hye-jin, Director of the Marine and Fisheries Division, stated, “Through the project to restore the rocky-shore seaweed habitat affected by coastal erosion, we will do our utmost to ensure that the coastline, which has been devastated by coastal erosion, is revitalized and returns to its former state as the blue waters of Gangneung,” and “We will actively strive not only to restore the coastal ecosystem but also to contribute to increasing the income of fishermen,” she added.
Kim Dong-ju, Head of the News Division
