S Korea’ Wando County: Emerging as a Global Leader in Blue Carbon Innovation
South Korea's seaweed hub gains international acclaim as NASA, WWF, and global organizations recognize its role in combating climate change and advancing sustainable aquaculture.
NEW DELHI: Wando County, located in South Jeolla Province, South Korea, has long been renowned as the nation’s largest producer of seaweed. However, the county is now stepping into the global spotlight, gaining recognition from prestigious international organizations, including NASA, for its pivotal role in addressing climate and food crises.
Jeollanam-do in Korea is famous for its long history, tradition, and beautiful natural landscapes. It is filled with harmonious fields where mountains and seas, paddies, and fields coexist.
This province is making its presence felt in India as well as at introduced a range of marine seafood including abalone, seaweed, wakame, and kelp though Dashimachonbok Fishery Corporation, which has set up its Indian subsidiary WandoC Impex in India.
Recently, Shin Woo-cheol, the Governor of Wando County, made headlines by visiting NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to promote the ecological and economic value of Wando’s seaweed.
According to YANG Hee-moon, Chairman of Dashimachonbok Fishery Corporation this marked the first time a Korean local government engaged in high-level discussions with NASA regarding a specific industry. The visit focused on certifying seaweed as a key contributor to “blue carbon,” a term referring to the carbon absorbed and stored in marine ecosystems such as seaweed farms.
“Wando County produces approximately 870,000 tons of seaweed annually, accounting for the majority of Korea’s production. Its pristine marine environment, enriched by seabeds made of elvan stone, yields high-quality seaweed and seafood, earning it the title of a “blessed sea” in a 2021 NASA report. Satellite imagery of Wando’s seaweed farms, particularly around Noh-do Island, has highlighted the region’s unparalleled suitability for seaweed aquaculture,” added YANG Hee-moon.
NASA’s acknowledgment has catalyzed international interest, with representatives from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the World Bank, and other NGOs visiting Wando in 2023 to study its farming practices. The region’s seaweed farms are increasingly viewed as a model for mitigating climate change through blue carbon. Blue carbon ecosystems absorb carbon at rates up to 50 times faster than terrestrial forests, offering a promising solution for combating global warming.
During his visit, Governor Shin introduced Wando’s advanced aquaculture technology and underscored the potential of seaweed as a sustainable, eco-friendly resource. Seaweed cultivation requires no fresh water or fertilizers, making it a highly efficient method of carbon sequestration. Shin’s discussions with Laura Lorenzoni, NASA’s Director of Marine Biology and Biogeochemistry, emphasized the need for international certification of seaweed’s carbon absorption capacity. Lorenzoni expressed her willingness to collaborate on further studies and certification processes.
Certification by organizations like Verra or the Gold Standard is critical for quantifying the carbon offset potential of seaweed and unlocking its economic value. If certified, Wando’s seaweed could bolster global climate initiatives, such as marine protected areas, tidal flat restoration, and carbon credit projects.
Governor Shin’s visit also included meetings with ARPA-E Director Evelyn N. Wang to discuss the Open Sea Seaweed Aquaculture Technology System, a joint U.S.-Korea research initiative scheduled for 2025-2029. This cutting-edge project aims to develop automated, large-scale seaweed farming systems in offshore waters, focusing on cultivating large brown algae such as kelp. These systems are intended to enhance seaweed’s role as both a renewable energy source and a carbon sink.
Related article: WandoC Introduces Jeollanam-do marine seafood – abalone, seaweed, wakame, and kelp in India
Wando County’s efforts have drawn attention from countries worldwide, including Australia and several developing nations, keen to learn from its success. Collaborative initiatives with institutions like the Marine Bio Research Center and the Haenam Seaweed Research Institute have positioned Wando as a leader in sustainable aquaculture.
Governor Shin expressed his vision during his U.S. visit, stating, “In order to respond to climate change, we requested that seaweed be certified as blue carbon and that the Wando seaweed farm be re-examined. Through these efforts, we aim to position Wando as a global hub for sustainable aquaculture and blue carbon innovation.”
According to YANG Hee-moon, Wando County’s journey from a regional seaweed producer to a global pioneer in blue carbon exemplifies the transformative potential of sustainable practices. With continued international collaboration and innovation, Wando’s seaweed farms are set to play a crucial role in addressing the twin challenges of climate change and food security.
