Nakdong River National Institute of Biological Resources strengthens freshwater biodiversity partnership with Dong-A Otsuka

The Nakdong River National Institute of Biological Resources met with officials from Dong-A Otsuka Co. on Monday at a joint freshwater biodiversity survey site along Gwangnyeocheon stream in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, to discuss cooperation plans for next year and ways to expand private-sector participation.

The joint survey was conducted as part of a corporate social responsibility initiative under a memorandum of understanding on environmental, social and governance management cooperation that the two organizations signed in July.

In an earlier joint survey carried out in September, the two organizations confirmed the presence of Semisulcospira coreana, a freshwater snail species endemic to Korea, in the stream.

Going forward, the two organizations plan to regularly collect data on species, population counts and water quality at Gwangnyeocheon to continuously monitor changes in freshwater biodiversity and habitat conditions.

Institute Director Yong Seok-won joined the Monday survey in person, observing the challenges of fieldwork and reviewing areas for improvement.

Yong also gathered feedback from field participants on ways to make it easier and more rewarding for businesses and citizens to take part in biodiversity conservation activities.

"The on-site feedback from participants is a vital foundation for developing the project," Yong said. "We will incorporate the voices from the field to improve our cooperative activities and further expand private-sector participation in freshwater biodiversity conservation."