The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said it issued a high sea temperature crisis alert at the "caution" level as of 6 p.m. on the 14th.
The move came after the National Institute of Fisheries Science issued a preliminary high sea temperature advisory at 4 p.m. the same day for 21 sea areas off the west and south coasts and Jeju. This year's preliminary advisory was issued 11 days later than on July 3 last year, because the stationary monsoon front increased rainfall, slowing the rise in water temperatures compared with a typical year.
The high sea temperature crisis alert levels are interest, caution, warning, and severe stages 1–2. A preliminary advisory is issued when the water temperature in a sea area has reached, or is expected to reach, 25℃.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) plans to set up and operate an emergency response team for high sea temperatures and strengthen on-site inspections and education and public outreach as the alert level is raised.
Minister Hwang Jong-u of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) said, "With the current heat wave persisting and water temperatures expected to rise in earnest, we are conducting thorough on-site inspections of fish farm preparedness together with local governments," and added, "We ask fishers to rigorously manage farmed seafood through early shipment, adjusting stocking density, and checking response equipment."