The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has announced the 4th Aquatic Animal Disease Management Plan (2026–2030) to ensure stable seafood supply and improve public health by preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases. Over the past decade, Korea’s aquaculture industry has grown steadily, but climate change and increased species diversity have raised the risk of new diseases and pathogen spread. This has made systematic disease management more crucial than ever. The new plan focuses on enhancing climate change response, upgrading quarantine and disease control systems, fostering professional personnel, and strengthening both domestic and international cooperation.
Since enacting the Aquatic Animal Disease Management Act in 2007, the ministry has established a management plan every five years. The 3rd plan (2021–2025) expanded the list of regulated quarantine species, increased the number of managed infectious diseases (from 26 to 29), and introduced an electronic quarantine certificate system. In May 2024, the National Institute of Fisheries Science and Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency were designated as the world’s first WOAH Collaboration Center for ‘genetic diagnostic reference materials.’ These materials are essential for accurate genetic diagnosis, preventing false positives and negatives, and will be distributed internationally from 2026. The plan also includes the adoption of blockchain-based e-platforms and AI diagnostic technologies.
To address climate change, the ministry will redefine the classification of aquatic infectious diseases, categorizing them into three risk-based groups and applying differentiated quarantine measures. AI-based disease prediction technologies and new vaccines and treatments for emerging diseases will also be developed. The quarantine management system will be digitized using blockchain and AI, expanding the electronic certificate system to eight countries by 2030 and implementing region-specific quarantine strategies. Additionally, VR-based practical training and professional workforce development programs will enhance on-site response capabilities.
A new ‘Disease Management Grading System’ will be introduced to promote autonomous quarantine and hygiene management by local governments and fish farms, starting with pilot projects and gradually expanding nationwide. Choi Hyun-ho, Director General of Fisheries Policy, emphasized that the new plan will proactively address climate change and disease spread, contributing to public health and the protection of the fisheries industry. These initiatives are expected to mark a turning point for the sustainability and global standing of Korea’s fisheries sector, with advanced technology and international cooperation driving further improvements in disease management.
This plan leverages advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain, and virtual reality to overcome the limitations of traditional disease control systems. The official operation of the WOAH Collaboration Center and the global distribution of genetic diagnostic reference materials position Korea as a leader in setting international standards for aquatic disease diagnostics. Strengthening autonomous quarantine systems and tailored education enhances field effectiveness, providing a proactive foundation for managing increasingly complex disease risks in the era of climate change.