Dangjin, South Korea – Chungnam Province Governor Kim Tae-heum announced a bold vision for the province's maritime future on Friday, unveiling a comprehensive plan to establish a world-class blue carbon ecosystem.

By investing 13.63 trillion won by 2035, the province aims to create a clean and healthy marine environment through initiatives such as sea forest restoration. The plan also includes the introduction of a marine carbon sink support tax, the establishment of a blue carbon demonstration research center, and the creation of the Garorim Bay National Marine Ecological Park. Additionally, the province will focus on restoring marine ecosystems, achieving zero marine waste, and building a circular economy platform for marine resources.

Blue carbon refers to the carbon captured by coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds. These ecosystems can store up to 50 times more carbon than terrestrial ecosystems, making them a significant tool in the fight against climate change.

To stimulate the local economy, Chungnam Province plans to build a 4.5-hectare smart aquaculture complex and a 10-hectare youth startup rental aquaculture complex in Dangjin's Seokmun reclaimed land. A fisheries product cluster, a youth return-to-fishing comprehensive town, and a Chungnam return-to-fishing plus center will also be constructed to support those looking to enter the fisheries industry.

The province will also develop various projects to transform the region into a maritime leisure tourism hub, including the creation of a complex marine leisure tourism city (Osom Islands), the development of Anmyeon Island tourist attractions, and the establishment of a marine leisure tourism infrastructure in Manlipo. Additionally, Chungnam will foster the West Coast marina industry and develop a Boryeong Shinhang marina industrial complex.

By attracting institutions such as the Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute's West Sea Research Institute, the National Marine Bioindustry Promotion Agency, and the Korea Polytechnic University's Maritime and Fisheries Campus, Chungnam Province aims to implement an "Integrated Marine and Fisheries Technology Leading Project."

"With the creation of a blue carbon ecosystem, we expect Chungnam's total marine fishery production to reach 210,000 tons per year by 2035, with seafood exports of $300 million, annual fishery income of 82 million won, and a port cargo volume of 600 million tons," Governor Kim said. "A new chapter will be written in Chungnam's marine economic map, and this will change the future of South Korea."

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