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Busan Metropolitan City Fisheries Resources Research Institute Releases 2 Million Juvenile Kuruma Prawns Produced In-House for the First Time

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Busan Metropolitan City Fisheries Resources Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as the “Institute”) announced that it will release 2 million juvenile kuruma prawns, approximately 10 millimeters in total length, produced in-house for the first time on May 14 to help restore coastal fisheries resources.

The juvenile prawns were raised in the Institute’s seed production facility under optimal water temperature and feeding conditions. They were grown to a sufficient size before release in order to improve survival rates in the natural environment.

In April of this year, the Institute secured fertilized eggs from broodstock collected from waters off Jeollanam-do and successfully produced juvenile prawns through a systematic cultivation process. The juveniles measure approximately 10 millimeters in length and were confirmed to be healthy individuals through precise disease inspections.

A total of 2 million juveniles will be released, with 1 million released at Nulcha Port in Gangseo-gu at 10:20 a.m. and another 1 million at Jangnim Port in Saha-gu at 2:20 p.m. Following four to five months of growth, the prawns are expected to contribute to increased income for local fishers.

Coastal waters, including the Nakdong River estuary, are considered highly suitable environments for the growth and survival of kuruma prawns due to their abundant organic matter and underwater vegetation that provides shelter.

This release is also significant as it marks the Institute’s first successful in-house production of artificial kuruma prawn seed, establishing momentum not only for securing superior broodstock but also for creating new fisheries resources.

Kuruma prawns are a large shrimp species distributed throughout the west and south coasts of Korea. Known for their excellent taste, they are regarded as a premium seafood ingredient used in a wide range of dishes, including soups, grilled dishes, and sashimi.

As catches of kuruma prawns in Busan waters have recently been increasing gradually, the Institute expects that continued releases of juvenile prawns will have a positive effect on resource enhancement.

Meanwhile, this release initiative comes in response to declining catches of fleshy prawn in Busan waters, which has created the need to introduce alternative and complementary species. The Institute plans to systematically monitor the effectiveness of the resource enhancement project and gradually expand production capacity in the future.

In Busan’s coastal waters, catches of fleshy prawn have sharply decreased due to a combination of factors including climate change, overfishing, and deteriorating habitat conditions, intensifying income losses for fishers and challenges facing the regional fisheries industry.

The Institute selected kuruma prawn as an alternative and complementary species due to its similar ecological characteristics and high market value, and it plans to continue research on artificial seed production technology and fisheries resource enhancement.

Kim Jun-tae, Director of the Busan Metropolitan City Fisheries Resources Research Institute, stated, “This release of juvenile kuruma prawns is part of our efforts to provide a new source of income for local fishers facing difficulties,” adding, “As catches of kuruma prawns in Busan coastal waters have recently been increasing, we will continue releases and resource enhancement efforts to establish the species as a premium fisheries resource.”