May 10 is Sea Arbor Day!

- Holding the commemoration ceremony for the 13th Sea Arbor Day at the Tongyeong Citizens’ Cultural Center Grand Theater

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced that it would be holding the commemoration ceremony for the 13th Sea Arbor Day on Friday, May 9, 11:00 AM at the Tongyeong Citizens’ Cultural Center Grand Theater in Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do.

 Sea Arbor Day on May 10 is a legal commemorative day designated in 2012 to inform the public of the importance of protecting the marine ecosystem, the seriousness of marine desertification, and the value of marine forests and their creation.

 About 600 people including Minister Kang Do-hyung, local government officials, field workers, and local students are expected to attend this ceremony. To help everybody understand the purpose of Sea Arbor Day and the importance of marine forests, a musical troupe consisting of elementary, middle, and high school students from Tongyeong-si will perform. Additionally, the achievements of the sea forest will be exhibited, and various experiential booths such as the sea forest virtual reality (VR) experience and the sea four-cut photo zone will be operated.

 An awards ceremony will also be held for those dedicated to protecting marine resources. MOF plans to award prizes to 10 people with meritorious service, including the Dongtap Industrial Medal to diver Kim Tae-yeon who planted seaweeds directly in the ocean.

 “Sea Arbor Day is not just a day to plant seaweed, but a day to reflect on the value of sea forests that enrich the ocean as the source of life. I hope people will extend their warm sympathy and support for the creation of sea forests,” Minister Kang Do-hyung said.

 Meanwhile, from 2009 to last year, MOF created a sea forest measuring 347.2 km2—which is more than half the size of Seoul—along coastal areas across Korea. MOF plans to continue expanding the sea forest to protect sustainable marine ecosystems.