Gyeongnam Province to Build Shellfish Byproduct Industrialization Center

Gyeongsangnam-do is launching a project to convert shellfish byproducts such as oyster shells into high-value industrial resources.

According to the provincial government on Wednesday, Gyeongnam Province plans to invest 19 billion won ($13.3 million) over three years starting in 2026 to establish a "Shellfish Byproduct Industrialization Support Center." The project became feasible after 500 million won in central government funding was allocated for the center's design services.

Gyeongnam is Korea's leading seafood region, accounting for 79% of the nation's oyster production. Following the establishment of the country's first resource recycling facility last year, the province is accelerating efforts to build an industrialization foundation.

The support center will be built on the campus of Gyeongsang National University's College of Marine Science in Tongyeong, with a total floor area of 4,130 square meters including a research building, field testing facility, and outdoor testing site. The construction will be funded equally by central and provincial governments at 9.5 billion won each, with completion targeted for 2028 and operations beginning in 2029.

The center will pursue the production and development of high-value products from six recyclable shellfish species designated under the Marine Byproducts Act enforcement decree: oysters, clams, abalone, pen shells, mussels, and cockles. Products include tiles, sand-substitute concrete, de-icing agents, water purification agents, aquaculture feed additives, functional pet food, and ingredients for functional foods and cosmetics. The center will also establish standards and management systems for shellfish-derived products and verify their safety for human use.

The province is continuing discussions with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to expand the enforcement decree to include all major shellfish species in the region, such as scallops and freshwater clams.

"The establishment of this support center will be a turning point in connecting marine byproducts to high-value industries," said Lee Sang-hoon, Director of the Maritime and Fisheries Bureau at Gyeongnam Province. "We will work to increase fishermen's income while creating a sustainable marine environment."