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Red Tide Crisis Alert Raised to ‘Caution’ Level
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2026.08.21.
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Red Tide Crisis Alert Raised to ‘Caution’ Level
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Hwang Jong-woo; MOF) announced that it raised the Red Tide Crisis Alert Level* to ‘Caution’ effective as of 18:00 on Monday, August 10. This measure follows the issuance of a Red Tide Preliminary Advisory by the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) at 16:00 on the same day for two sea areas: the inshore waters of eastern Jeollanam-do and western Gyeongsangnam-do.
* Crisis Alert Levels: Attention (July) → Caution (> Preliminary Advisory in 2 sea areas) → Warning (> Warning Advisory in 2 sea areas) → Severe (> Alarm Advisory in 2 sea areas)
* Advisory Levels: Preliminary Advisory (>10 cells/mL) → Warning Advisory (>100 cells/mL) → Alarm Advisory (>1,000 cells/mL)
Red tide is a natural phenomenon in which seawater changes color to red due to the abnormal proliferation of phytoplankton. In particular, Cochlodinium, a harmful red tide organism, attaches to the gills of farmed fish, causing mortality due to suffocation.
According to NIFS, water temperatures suitable for the growth of red tide organisms (24?27°C) persist along the eastern coast of Jeollanam-do and the western coast of Gyeongsangnam-do, leading to an increasing trend in organism counts. NIFS forecasts that if suitable water temperatures continue and competing species decrease, Cochlodinium density will further increase, primarily around Bodol Sea in Yeosu City.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries established the "2026 Comprehensive Measures for High Water Temperatures and Red Tides" in early June, supporting response equipment such as loess clay and conducting joint public-private control drills (June 25 in Tongyeong, June 26 in Wando). Following the issuance of the ‘Caution’ alert, MOF is operating a Comprehensive Situation Room, strengthening surveillance, and analyzing diffusion trends. MOF will also rapidly disseminate relevant information to stakeholders via the Red Tide Information System (www.nifs.go.kr/red/main.red). Citizens wishing to receive red tide updates via text message can apply through the Red Tide Situation Room (+82-51-720-2261).
Hwang Jong-woo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, emphasized, "While fisheries are already experiencing damage due to high water temperatures caused by heatwaves, there are growing concerns over additional damage from the increasing population of harmful red tide organisms. Therefore, we are conducting advance inspections of aquaculture farms in cooperation with local governments according to red tide trends." He added, "We strongly urge fish farmers to thoroughly manage their aquaculture stock through measures such as early harvesting, adjusting feed supply and stocking density, and checking response equipment."
- Red Tide Preliminary Advisory Issued for 2 Sea Areas in Gyeongnam and Jeonnam, Triggering ‘Caution’ Crisis Alert
- Comprehensive Red Tide Control Room Activated; Surveillance and Situation Dissemination Enhanced
- Comprehensive Red Tide Control Room Activated; Surveillance and Situation Dissemination Enhanced
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Hwang Jong-woo; MOF) announced that it raised the Red Tide Crisis Alert Level* to ‘Caution’ effective as of 18:00 on Monday, August 10. This measure follows the issuance of a Red Tide Preliminary Advisory by the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) at 16:00 on the same day for two sea areas: the inshore waters of eastern Jeollanam-do and western Gyeongsangnam-do.
* Crisis Alert Levels: Attention (July) → Caution (> Preliminary Advisory in 2 sea areas) → Warning (> Warning Advisory in 2 sea areas) → Severe (> Alarm Advisory in 2 sea areas)
* Advisory Levels: Preliminary Advisory (>10 cells/mL) → Warning Advisory (>100 cells/mL) → Alarm Advisory (>1,000 cells/mL)
Red tide is a natural phenomenon in which seawater changes color to red due to the abnormal proliferation of phytoplankton. In particular, Cochlodinium, a harmful red tide organism, attaches to the gills of farmed fish, causing mortality due to suffocation.
According to NIFS, water temperatures suitable for the growth of red tide organisms (24?27°C) persist along the eastern coast of Jeollanam-do and the western coast of Gyeongsangnam-do, leading to an increasing trend in organism counts. NIFS forecasts that if suitable water temperatures continue and competing species decrease, Cochlodinium density will further increase, primarily around Bodol Sea in Yeosu City.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries established the "2026 Comprehensive Measures for High Water Temperatures and Red Tides" in early June, supporting response equipment such as loess clay and conducting joint public-private control drills (June 25 in Tongyeong, June 26 in Wando). Following the issuance of the ‘Caution’ alert, MOF is operating a Comprehensive Situation Room, strengthening surveillance, and analyzing diffusion trends. MOF will also rapidly disseminate relevant information to stakeholders via the Red Tide Information System (www.nifs.go.kr/red/main.red). Citizens wishing to receive red tide updates via text message can apply through the Red Tide Situation Room (+82-51-720-2261).
Hwang Jong-woo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, emphasized, "While fisheries are already experiencing damage due to high water temperatures caused by heatwaves, there are growing concerns over additional damage from the increasing population of harmful red tide organisms. Therefore, we are conducting advance inspections of aquaculture farms in cooperation with local governments according to red tide trends." He added, "We strongly urge fish farmers to thoroughly manage their aquaculture stock through measures such as early harvesting, adjusting feed supply and stocking density, and checking response equipment."
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