Gizzard shad, Israeli carp named September's fish of the month; Hwaseong, Seocheon chosen as coastal villages to visit

Gizzard shad and Israeli carp have been named September's fish of the month, while a coastal village in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, and another in Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, have been selected as this month's recommended fishing village destinations.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced Tuesday that it had designated gizzard shad and Israeli carp as September's seafood of the month, and named the Jeongok-ri and Seondo-ri fishing village experience resorts in Hwaseong and Seocheon, respectively, as this month's coastal travel destinations. The nalthorn plant was chosen as the marine organism of the month, Jukdo Lighthouse on Chagwido off Jeju was named lighthouse of the month, and Hyeongje Islets in Yeosu were selected as the uninhabited island of the month.

Gizzard shad is a herring-family fish found in Korea's coastal waters, the seas south of central Japan, and the East China Sea. Growing to about 20 to 30 centimeters in length, it can be eaten whole — bones included — making it a good source of calcium. It also contains protein, essential amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids including EPA and DHA. Particularly prized in autumn for its rich, nutty flavor, it is commonly served as raw slices, seasoned raw fish salad or grilled. A popular preparation is "salt-grilled gizzard shad," in which the whole fish is sprinkled with sea salt and grilled.

Israeli carp is a freshwater fish of the carp family, first introduced to Korea from Israel in 1973. After successful aquaculture trials, it became one of the country's major farmed freshwater species. Last year's output was about 1,700 tons, the fifth highest among freshwater fish. Compared with other freshwater species, it has relatively little of the muddy odor typical of river fish, almost no small bones, and firm, springy flesh. It is eaten raw, in spicy stew, steamed or grilled.

At the Jeongok-ri fishing village experience resort in Hwaseong, visitors can try traditional fish-trap fishing and yacht tours, as well as island tours to Ipado departing from Jeongok Port. The port's seafood center sells locally caught blue crab, webfoot octopus, shrimp and other regional produce.

The Seondo-ri fishing village experience resort in Seocheon offers both tidal flat experiences and views of the West Sea sunset. Visitors can gather surf clams and razor clams on the mudflats, and at low tide can walk along a tidal path all the way to Ssangsim, an uninhabited island nearby. A glamping site has also been set up close to the village.

The marine organism of the month, nalthorn (Tribulus cistoides), is an annual halophyte that grows on sandy coastal beaches. Widely distributed across temperate and tropical regions worldwide, it is found domestically only in limited areas along the east coast — including Gangneung and Pohang — and parts of Jeju's coastline. Its fruit, which ripens between July and September, splits into five sections and develops sharp spine-like protrusions on its surface, giving it a shape resembling a medieval mace.

Jukdo Lighthouse, located on Chagwido in Gosan-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju, was named lighthouse of the month. Installed in 2015, it flashes a white light once every six seconds to guide vessels passing along Jeju's western coast. Chagwido is the largest uninhabited island off Jeju and is designated Natural Monument No. 422. The original lighthouse was built in 1952 by residents of Gosan-ri, who carried stones themselves to help fishing boats navigate safely; it was rebuilt in its current form in 2015 after the original structure deteriorated.

Hyeongje Islets, located about 150 meters off the eastern coast of Geumodo in Nam-myeon, Yeosu, were named the uninhabited island of the month. Standing about 30 meters tall and covering an area of 6,017 square meters, the islets take their name — meaning "brothers" in Korean — from the way the island's split middle makes the two halves appear to face each other like an older and younger sibling. The islets feature a variety of geological formations, including sea cliffs, vertical joints, sea caves and columnar joints.

Hyeongje Islets are designated as a semi-protected uninhabited island of high conservation value. A 2023 survey confirmed the presence of grey herons, grey-tailed tattlers and blue rock thrushes, and otter droppings were also observed.