Enhancing the Safety of Farmed Seafood

 - Registration scope of HACCP expanded from land-based to offshore aquaculture farms

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Kang Do-Hyung) announced it will expand the scope of HACCP* (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) registration from land-based aquaculture farms to offshore farms such as open-net pens, artificial ponds, and fry farms starting April 1st (Monday) to further strengthen the production of safe aquaculture products.

 The aquaculture HACCP framework was introduced in 2005 with the aim to proactively prevent hazards in aquaculture, and 434 land-based aquaculture farms are registered as of March 2024. To promote HACCP registration of aquafarms, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries provides fee consulting and farm water inspection fee subsidies to those wishing to register, while providing eco-friendly benefit payments (upon application) and support for entering online and offline sales outlets for registered aquafarms.

 As the scope of HACCP registration will be expanded from April 1st to include offshore aquaculture farms, including open-net pens, artificial ponds, and fry farms, those who wish to register for HACCP can apply to the evaluation institution, the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service, after meeting safety management certification standards, including for drug, feed, and water management, and preparing a HACCP operation plan. Following application, aquafarms will be registered once determined suitable through documentation and onsite inspections, and local jurisdiction government offices will conduct inspections every two years to ensure continued compliance with initial certification standards.