Record heat wave devastates South Korean fish farms, prompting climate-adaptation calls

A record heat wave has triggered an unprecedented wave of high-water temperature alerts across South Korea, lasting 57 consecutive days and causing massive mortality in aquaculture. By early September, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries reported that 13.533 million fish from 455 farms had perished, contributing to cumulative five-year losses of 125.048 million fish and 205.56 billion won. In South Gyeongsang Province, a single cage farm saw more than 30% of its fish die, amounting to a loss of over 500 million won, while provincial authorities logged thousands of dead fish and sea-squirt ropes in one day.

Climate researchers note that average sea temperatures reached 28.56 °C, the highest for the August 1-7 period since 2000, and alerts now last far longer than in 2021. Compensation schemes remain limited, with disaster relief capped at 50 million won per household and low uptake of costly insurance. Scientists and industry leaders call for a systemic overhaul, including genetic selection for heat-tolerant strains, vertical farming in cooler deep waters, and a transition to subtropical species to protect food security.