Gangwon Province, Efforts to Restore High-Income Fish ‘Octopus’ Resources

The Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Marine Resources Center is accelerating a test study to develop technologies for hatching and releasing octopus larvae and artificial seed production of young octopuses. The octopus, whose catch has been rapidly decreasing recently, is a species with very important economic and ecological value in the coastal waters of Gangwon Province, and is a representative high-income fish species of Gangwon Province loved by many consumers for its unique mild taste and texture. The octopus catch increased from 1,339 tons in 2015 to 1,494 tons in 2018 and 1,700 tons in 2021, but decreased by about 300 tons in 2023 to 1,347 tons, raising concerns about resource depletion and the balance of the marine ecosystem. Accordingly, the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Marine Resources Center plans to release approximately 100,000 hatched larvae that are currently being raised and managed in the coastal waters of three cities and counties ...