Researchers have identified rare wildlife and subtropical species inhabiting the island.
Joseph Kim reports.

Waters around the island were designated as Jeju Provincial Marine Parks for ecological value in 2018.

[slug] Marine parks cover Udo, Chujado, Marado Islands
Waters near (우도) Udo Island, (추자도) Chujado Island, (마라도) Marado Island, and (성산) Seongsan Sunrise Peak have been designated as provincial marine parks.
The parks cover an area of 206,000 square kilometers.

[slug] Research on ecological resources made
Researchers have recently surveyed ecological resources at the marine parks for the first time since their designation.
At the survey, researchers have found a variety of marine wildlife.


The province commissioned the Korea National Park Research Institute to research animals and plants at the provincial marine parks.
The researchers have identified more than 5,800 species.
Each designated park has between 700 and 1,400 species.




[slug] 16 legally protected species found
Especially, 16 legally protected species including hawk and the sibynophis collaris gray snake which are designated as endangered animals by the Ministry of Environment were found during the survey.

[slug] Clusters of dendronephthya hemprichi found near Udo Island

A variety of subtropical species including clusters of dendronephthya hemprichi, soft pink or orange coral, have been found near (우도) Udo Island for the first time.

[slug] Parks damaged by trash dumping and fishing
However, the researchers point out that some parts of the marine parks are being damaged by trash dumping and fishing.

INTERVIEW
Kwon Yeong-su / Korea National Park Research Institute
The survey for natural resources is aimed to evaluate the ecological health for coming up with plans for conservation and management.
<인터뷰 :권영수/ 국립공원공단 국립공원연구단장>
"자연자원조사는 생태계의 건강성을 평가해서 그 결과를 바탕으로 어떻게 보전·관리를 할 것인지 적용하는 중간 단계 입니다."

The sea near the island has proven to be repository of subtropical marine wildlife.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Park Byeong-june
[CG] Lee Min-gyu

The province is coming up with systematic management measures for the waters based on the results of the survey.

Joseph Kim, KCTV