Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
South Korean fisheries researchers develop ways to adapt to warmer seas
South Korean waters warmed by 1.6 degrees from 1968 to 2025, according to the National Institute of Fisheries Science.
As the sea warms, cold-water fish such as sandfish have declined, while warm-water fish such as yellowtail have increased.
The institute is developing farmed yellow croaker as wild catches fall and supplies become less reliable.
It has tested the methods at a land-based farm in Jeju and is extending research from raising young fish to processing and sales.
Researchers are also testing high-temperature-tolerant fish called 벤자리 in Tongyeong, Yeosu and Geomundo.
The work matters because changing sea conditions can affect fish supplies and fishing incomes.
Next, the institute plans to expand AI and smart-farming research and work with fishers, businesses and government agencies to bring research into practice.
South Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science is developing aquaculture methods to help fisheries adapt to warmer seas.
Sea surface temperatures in South Korean waters rose 1.6 degrees Celsius from 1968 to 2025.
The institute is developing farming methods for yellow croaker and testing farming of high-temperature-tolerant grouper.
It is also expanding research into seafood safety, smart aquaculture and the use of artificial intelligence.
The institute says research must support stable production and help ensure farmed fish can be processed, distributed and sold.
- Who
- South Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science.
- What
- It is developing aquaculture methods and other research to help fisheries respond to warmer seas.
- When
- The article was published on November 6, 2026. The reported temperature rise covers 1968 to 2025.
- Where
- South Korean waters; test production of grouper is planned in Tongyeong, Yeosu and Geomundo.
- Why
- Climate change is changing marine conditions and fish stocks, while catches of some cold-water species have fallen.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sea surface temperatures in South Korean waters rose 1.6 degrees Celsius over 58 years.
Average catches of sandfish fell from about 2,800 tonnes to about 1,800 tonnes, while catches of yellowtail and related species rose from about 4,800 tonnes to 19,500 tonnes.
The institute developed yellow croaker aquaculture technology as wild catches declined.
The institute was pursuing test production of grouper in Tongyeong, Yeosu and Geomundo.
- Temperature rise
- 1.6°C in South Korean waters from 1968 to 2025
- Sandfish catches
- About 2,800 tonnes per year in the 1990s; about 1,800 tonnes in the 2020s
- Yellowtail and related catches
- About 4,800 tonnes in the 1990s; 19,500 tonnes in the 2020s
- Yellow croaker
- Aquaculture technology developed by the National Institute of Fisheries Science
- Grouper test sites
- Tongyeong, Yeosu and Geomundo
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What people are saying
Developing new aquaculture technology does not mean the research is all finished.
The fish must become seafood that consumers actually seek out to establish itself as a new source of income for fishers.
We will respond to the climate change crisis through research that scientifically predicts changes in the sea and solves problems in the field.