REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The Republic of Korea is one of the Asian countries with a highly developed shellfish industry with regard to both marine and freshwater species.
Total annual mollusc production output from 1980 to 1987 are shown in Figure 1. Production from 1980 to 1984 averaged about 365,000 MT annually, whereas landings have steadily increased from 1985 (461,853 MT) to 1987 (542,769 MT) with an average annual growth rate of 14%. Total aquaculture production for 1987 amounted to 446,852 MT accounting for 82% of the country's total mollusc production.

Table 1 shows the most important mollusc species cultured in Korea along with their annual production figures from 1980 to 1987.
The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas is the most important shellfish cultured in ROK. Total production in 1987 amounted to 303,223 MT of which 95% (288,078 MT) was derived from coastal aquaculture, mainly concentrated in the southern part of the country.
The short-necked clam Venerupis japonica ranks second in importance with a total production of 79,754 MT in 1987; over 67% (50,132 MT) was derived from mariculture landings.
The total production of the ark shell Arca broughtonii from 1980 (3,105 MT) to 1987 (59,554 MT) increased steadily with an average annual growth rate of 85%.
The black mussel Mytilus crassitesta is also an important bivalve species actively cultured in Korea with a highest annual production of 69,375 MT in 1980. However, from 1981 to 1987 the output had been gradually decreasing and only 29,813 MT was produced in 1987.
The production of the surf clam Mactra veneriformis increased from 11,232 MT in 1980 to 23,765 MT in 1987 with an average annual growth rate of about 18%.
The total production of the above five species in 1987 amounted to 496,109 MT or 91% of the total country mollusc production with 87% (430,666 MT) derived from coastal aquaculture.
Among other marine bivalve species the most important are several Anadara species, Scapharca subcrenata, Atrina pectinata, Solen strictus, and Cyclina sinensis.
The clam Corbicula japonica is the major freshwater bivalve of commercial importance in ROK. The average annual production for the period 1980–1987 amounted to about 13,400 MT of which the major bulk was from capture fisheries, although increasing amounts are recently being produced through aquaculture.
The abalone, Haliotis discus and the top shell, Turbo cornutus are the two major gastropods cultured in Korea. The annual production of the abalone during the period 1980–1987 averaged 450 MT, however it declined during the last few years with only 319 MT in 1987. Production of the top shell during the period 1980–1987 was highest in 1982 with 7,654 MT, but only 3,358 MT in 1987.

Figure 2 shows the production figures of the most important bivalve species cultured in Korea for the periods 1980–1983 and 1984–1987. The cumulative output during the second period increased for most species, except the black mussel M. crassitesta, the cockle S. subcrenata and the minor mollusc species. The production percentages of the species listed in Table 1 from their total production for the two periods are shown in Figure 3. The ark shell A. broughtonii had the highest increase, passing from 3.4% in 1980–1983 to 10.3% in 1984–1987. Other species whose output increased during the second period include the Pacific oyster C. gigas and the surf clam M. veneriformis. The black mussel in contrast slid from 15.3% in the first period to 8.4% in the second.

Figure 1. Total annual production of commercially important shellfish in ROK from 1980 to 1987.

Figure 2. Total production figures for the periods 1980–1983 and 1984–1987 of the major shellfish species in ROK.

Table 1: Annual production of commercially important shellfish in South Korea, 1980–1987. (Values: MT).

Table 2 summarizes a number of information on the present status of mollusc culture in ROK. Among all the species of commercial importance only the seedlings of the abalone H. discus are propagated artificially.
Suspension culture techniques are well developed in Korea, mainly due to the topographical characteristics of its coastline. The bulk of the oyster production is derived from long-line culture which is widely practised in Chungmu, South Korea. Hanging culture is also extensively practised with the mussel and abalone. Clams and cockles are bottom cultured in waters 5–15 meters deep.
Mollusc are highly valued in Korea and domestic consumption is high. Species which are exported include the oyster C. gigas, the hard clam M. lusoria, the short-necked clam V. japonica, the ask shell A. broughtonii and the abalone H. discus.

The major constraint to the shellfish industry in the Republic of Korea is the limited seed supply, especially of the clam species. To overcome this problem and to further develop the mollusc industry considerable applied research is being carried out. Major research activities involve artificial production of seedlings, improvement of on-growing techniques, prevention and treatment of diseases as well as studies on mollusc genetics and selective breeding.

Figure 3. Comparative production percentages of major shellfish species in ROK for the periods 1980–1983 (A) and 1984–1987 (B).

Table 2: Information on status of mollusc culture in Rok.