Ecological characteristics of the brown alga Ishige okamurae Yendo in its natural habitat at Janggam, Shinan on the southwestern coast of Korea were investigated from March 2023 to February 2024. The population of I. okamurae formed extensive patches along the shoreline. Environmental factors such as seawater temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were monitored during this study. Growth and maturation of the I. okamurae population were assessed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. This alga showed a peak growth in October when the seawater temperature was 19.9°C. It had a mean length of 7.6±1.4 cm, a mean density of 4,466.6±288.9 ind. m-2, and a mean biomass of 663.9±85.3 fresh-wt. m-2. The effective cumulative temperature required for the alga’s maturation was estimated based on growth data with a biological zero temperature of 9.2°C. Sporangia were observed from June to November when seawater temperatures ranged from 20.5°C to 14.0°C. Unilocular sporangia first appeared in June, followed by simultaneous appearance of unilocular sporangia and plurilocular sporangia from July to September. From October to November, only unilocular sporangia were observed. Thallus development began at temperatures above 9.2°C. Maturation required approximately 577 degree-days for unilocular sporangia and 801 degree-days for plurilocular sporangia.