O In Bon
Kosong Centre
I. INTRODUCTION
Korea is a maritime country, sea-bound on three sides. The country's coastline is extensive and dotted with numerous islands and islets. The west coast has numerous mud flat areas and sandy beaches.
There are about 200 species of molluscs inhabiting marine and fresh water environments in the country. there are 15 species of bivalves and 10 species of gastropods that have a commercial value. The above species have been traditionally collected for a long time with the fishing grounds mainly concentrated near the shoreline. In 1982 the mollusc production accounted only for 3.9% of the total national production output. Fish resources not only are subject to fluctuations, they are limited, as well. Therefore, to increase marine production, the seafarming industry should be developed. Therefore, the Government has developed technologies to artificially culture a number of commercially important seaweeds (Laminaria, Undaria and laver) as well as for a number of molluscs such as mussels and several species of clams. At present, almost everywhere in the east sea and west sea of the country the are areas which have been specifically selected to rear seaweeds and molluscs. It is expected that marine production will increase in the near future.
The rapid development of the mollusc culture industry in the country and the expected increase in output requires better sanitation measures with regard to both culture practices and product handling and processing. Contaminated and unhealthy molluscs appear from time to time which may cause serious health problems. Very few cases of diseases related to the consumption of contaminated bivalves have been recorded in Korea (DPR), however, very little scientific research has been carried out in the field to determine the seriousness of the problem generally affecting the mollusc industry.
Contaminated clams, oysters and mussels appear mainly during the summer months during which several phytoplankton species such as Gonyaulax and Gymnodinium are detected in their digestive systems. Noxious algae appear extensively during the hot summer months. In 1975 large quantities of clams, octopi as well as fish died in the east sea of the country. Such events have occurred rarely in Korea (DPR), however scientific knowledge is necessary to determine the cause of and prevent such unwanted proliferations in order to avoid human health hazards related to the consumption of marine products.
As a result of the “red tides” that usually occur during summer the Government has set a “prohibition period of clam catching”. The Government has arranged to protect clam resources with legal measures. These measures are also meant to protect people's health from the harmful effects of contaminated molluscs.
