The impact of high temperatures on domestic aquaculture is growing. Last year, the fish farming production increased slightly (2%) compared to the previous year; however, the production value increased by 8% compared to the previous year. The main reason for the increase in fish prices was due to a shortage in shipment volume from mass deaths of major fish species. The number of fish farms has been on the decline for 19 consecutive years due to worsening management from abnormal temperatures and diseases.
According to the Statistics Korea, the production quantity of aquaculture farms last year was 81,911 tons, which is an increase of 2.6% compared to the previous year (79,810 tons). The increase was influenced by the growth in production of species such as black seabream, flatfish, yellowtail, and bass.
A Statistics Korea official noted, "To reduce the damage from high temperatures, many farms harvested early between June and early July," adding that, "The production of fish species that can withstand high temperatures increased."
Although the production amount of aquaculture farms increased slightly compared to the previous year, the production value rose significantly. The production value of aquaculture farms last year was 1.2112 trillion won, which is an 8% increase compared to the previous year (1.1219 trillion won). This is the second highest amount since Statistics Korea began its tally in 2006.
The mass deaths of major farmed fish species, such as black seabass and flatfish, significantly contributed to the increase in farm gate prices. The farm gate price of black seabass rose by 7.3% compared to the previous year, the flatfish farm gate price increased by 5.3%, and the farm gate price of red seabream went up by 5.1%.
The number of aquaculture farms has recorded a decline for 19 consecutive years since statistics began. Last year, the number of aquaculture farms was 1,446, down by 5 compared to the previous year (1,451). The management of small-scale aquaculture farms worsened due to damage from high-temperature diseases, leading to an increase in closures and shutdowns. The number of marine cage farms in Yeosu, JeollaNam-do, and land-based aquaculture facilities in Jeju decreased.
However, the number of workers slightly increased. Last year, the number of people employed in the aquaculture industry was 5,354, an increase of 0.5% compared to the previous year (5,328). The influx of foreign workers and the increase in management personnel for aquaculture facilities contributed to this rise.
Last year, the number of new fish introduced was 267 million, a 14.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Statistics Korea analyzed that aquaculture farms deferred the introduction of black seabass, flatfish, and flatfish species due to concerns over high-temperature damage. The increase in aquaculture farm shutdowns and closures also affected the decrease in the number of new fish introduced.
The total aquaculture count tallied at the end of last year was 338 million, a 29.1% decrease compared to the end of 2023. There was a trend of decreased aquaculture counts across all provinces. By species, the count of black seabass, which is sensitive to high temperatures, dropped by 48.5% compared to the end of the previous year. Last year's feed amount was 536,000 tons, which is a decrease of 12,000 tons (-2.3%) compared to the previous year.