National Institute of Fisheries Science holds field briefings on high water temperatures, red tide

The National Institute of Fisheries Science held a series of field briefings for aquaculture fishers in South Jeolla Province to help them prepare for summer fishery disasters caused by high water temperatures and red tide, the institute announced Wednesday.

With sea temperatures this summer forecast to run above seasonal norms, the importance of advance farm management and on-site response has grown. In response, the institute's South Sea Fisheries Research Institute conducted tailored training sessions for fishers to strengthen field technical support and disaster preparedness during the high-temperature season.

The briefings were held in Goheung on July 1, in Yeosu on July 7 and in Wando on Tuesday. About 400 aquaculture fishers from South Jeolla Province attended the sessions, which covered the 2026 outlook for high water temperatures and red tide, tips for preventing and responding to aquaculture farm damage, and how to check real-time water temperature data using a dedicated smartphone app.

Particular attention was paid to guiding fishers less comfortable with smartphones through the entire process — from installing the app to using its features — to improve the practical use of real-time water temperature information in the field.

"High water temperatures and red tide are among the most damaging fishery disasters for the aquaculture industry, which makes advance preparation more important than anything else," institute director Kwon Soon-wook said. "We will work with local governments to strengthen support so that fishers can respond effectively, through swift forecast information and field-centered technical assistance."