Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Designates Muan Tidal Flat Wetland Protection Area as an Expansion Area

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced on Tuesday, December 10 that it will expand the wetland protection area in the Muan tidal flats in Jeollanam-do (42㎢ → 113.34㎢), which is rich in biodiversity and serves as a habitat for marine protected species such as the Chinese egret, spoonbill, and white-toothed lugworm.

Muan Tidal Flats were designated as the first coastal wetland protection area in 2001 in recognition of their ecological excellence and geological conservation value. Muan County and local residents have been continuously working to expand the designation of wetland protection areas for UNESCO’s second-stage registration of ‘Korean Tidal Flats.’

Muan, along with Yeosu, Goheung, and Seosan, is scheduled to submit an application for the second expansion of the ‘Korean Tidal Flats’ World Heritage Site (‘25.1). The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries conducted a comprehensive national marine ecosystem survey (‘21.3~’21.10) and a detailed survey of Muan tidal flat biodiversity (‘23.8~’24.2) to confirm the habitats of endangered species such as the yellow-billed egret and the spoonbill in the Muan tidal flats, and collected opinions on the designation through a public hearing with local residents (‘24.7). As a result, the existing protection area (42㎢) centered on the Hampyeong Bay tidal flats was expanded to the area around Tando Bay (71㎢), designating a wetland protection area spanning approximately 113㎢. Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kang Do-hyung said, “Through this expanded designation, we can now protect and manage the Muan Tidal Flats, the first coastal wetland protection area in Korea, by connecting them from Hampyeong Bay to Tando Bay,” and added, “We will work with the National Heritage Administration and Muan County to ensure that this designation leads to the second stage of UNESCO World Heritage registration.”

Editor. Hong Se-yeong