MOF Announces Plan to Designate Tidal Flat Eco-Villages for Systematic Management of Korea’s Excellent Tidal Flats

Promoting marine ecosystem protection and local economic revitalization through the designation of Tidal Flat Eco-Villages

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced on Wednesday, March 26 that it plans to designate villages with excellent tidal flat ecosystems and beautiful scenery as Tidal Flat Eco-Villages through a public contest to promote the sustainable development of tidal flats and their surrounding areas.

 This is the first time that MOF will designate tidal flat ecological villages. According to Article 28 of the Act on the Sustainable Management and Restoration of Tidal Flats (Gaetbeol) and Adjacent Areas Thereof, any village in a tidal flat management area, an area for the tidal flat restoration project, a protected marine area, an area adjacent to a protected wetland area, or a wetland city can apply.

 The contest will be held from Wednesday, March 26 to Friday, May 23. Villages wishing to participate should form a residents' council and submit an application to their city, county, or district. After conducting written and on-site evaluations, MOF will select the final three villages in July.

 A village officially designated as a Tidal Flat Eco-Village will be eligible to apply for the Project to Develop Tidal Flat Eco-Villages the following year. MOF will provide support for securing and improving tourism facilities, funding environmental conservation activities, strengthening the capabilities of the Tidal Flat Eco-Village, and offering tailored activity allowances for tidal flat guides according to the budget size.

 Further details can be found in the Guidelines for the Designation, Management, and Support of Tidal Flat Eco-Villages, available on the MOF website (http://www.mof.go.kr).

 “Tidal Flat Eco-Villages are expected to contribute significantly to conserving tidal flat ecosystems and revitalizing local economies. We plan to continue designating and supporting two to three villages annually to help them become hubs of marine eco-tourism and make many villages take interest,” Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung said.