Pukyong National University

Gijang seaweed receives international certification of 'sustainable seaweed' for the first time in Korea
Research achievement of Yeungnam Sea Grant Center in Pukyong National University ... Acquired ASC-MSC certification on October 6th

△ Photograph of the award ceremony. (From the fourth on the left) Lee Seok-Mo, Pukyong National University, Youngnam Grant Center Director, Patrick Calleo, Head of MSC Asia-Pacific Region, Kim Yang-chun, Chairman of Gijang Food, Co., LTD., Frode Solberg, Norway Ambassador, and Kim Min-soo, CEO of Gijang Food . ⓒ Photo by Lee Sung-jae (PR Team)

Gijang seaweed, which was a royal product, is receiving attention from the fisheries industry with the international certification of 'sustainable seafood'.

The Gijang seaweed, produced by Gijang C&T (CEO Kim Min-soo), a seaweed company in Busan, received the ASC-MSC certification on October 6.

The ASC-MSC certification is an international certification that the Marine Management Council (MSC) and the World Aquaculture Responsibility Management Committee (ASC), the international fishery certification body for sustainable fisheries, examine and grant sustainable eco-friendly fisheries.

This certification is the result of the research project of the Pukyong National University and Yeongnam Sea Grant Center (CEO Lee Seok-mo), 'Planning of Gijang Seaweed Industry through the Introduction of Environmental Labeling Certification System' (Principal Professor Kim Do-Hoon, Dept. of Marine and Fisheries Business and Economics).

Yeongnam Sea Grant Center succeeded in acquiring the certification by solving international fishery issues in the Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongnam area and promoting international certification since 2017 to improve fisherman's income.

The Gijang seaweed has received excellent evaluations in the areas of △an effective way to maintain sustainable resources, △minimize environmental impacts from aquaculture, △manage farms such as complying with the legal system, △clear employment relations, △social responsibilities such as environmental and safety education, △interaction with local communities, etc.

As Gijang seaweed has gained international certification, expectations are growing to expand global exports. As the news of preparation for certification of Gijang seaweed has already been announced, Gijang C&T is entering into a MOU with seafood companies in Europe and Japan.

Lee Seok-mo, director of Yeongnam Sea Grant Center, said, “International interest in sustainable seafood is increasing, and there is a growing tendency to purchase only sustainable seafood. We will continue to work on the development of the seafood industry by actively transferring certification know-how to local governments and large Korean food companies that are preparing for sustainable seafood certification."

On the other hand, 'Sustainable Seaweed ASC-MSC Seaweed Certification Ceremony' was held at Bexco (Haeundae, Busan) in the morning of October 6 under the supervision of Korea Maritime Management Council (MSC). <Pukyong Today>