Busan has reached a milestone in its smart aquaculture program, becoming the first of Koreaβs six smart aquaculture clusters to produce and ship farm-raised seafood.
The city will hold an event on September 30 at a smart aquaculture facility in Ilgwang-eup, Gijang-gun, to mark the first shipment of locally raised Atlantic salmon.
The salmon were produced at the testbed facility of the Busan Smart Aquaculture Cluster, which was completed in 2024 at Pukyong National Universityβs Fisheries Science Research Institute. The project received a total investment of 40 billion won from national, city and private funding.
The facility uses advanced aquaculture technology, including a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), which allows salmon to be raised on land while filtering and reusing water. Fertilized salmon eggs were introduced to the facility in the second half of 2024 and have now reached the stage for their first commercial shipment.
Busan said the achievement marks the first time one of Koreaβs six smart aquaculture cluster projects has completed the process from raising fish to actual production and shipment.
The project combines information and communications technology with automated and intelligent systems designed to provide greater control over growing conditions and improve the efficiency of aquaculture operations.
The first shipment could also help establish a domestic supply of Atlantic salmon, which Korea currently relies heavily on imports to meet consumer demand.
Busan plans to use the project to further develop and commercialize smart aquaculture technology while supporting related research and regulatory improvements.
The city also expects locally produced Atlantic salmon to gradually enter the domestic market as production capacity expands.
