Marine microalgal biotoxins can accumulate in seafoods, posing significant risk to human health. These toxins include tetrodotoxin (TTX) and can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), and amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). With accelerating climate change, the frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms capable of producing biotoxins have increased. In South Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) regulates traditional toxins, including TTX and toxins causing PSP, DSP, and ASP. In contrast, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have established regulatory standards for a broader spectrum of marine biotoxins, including yessotoxins (YTXs), brevetoxins (BTXs), azaspiracids (AZAs), and ciguatoxins (CTXs), to ensure seafood safety. To effectively address this global concern, the MFDS launched an R&D project entitled "Establishment of the Safety Management System for Marine Biotoxins" (2020–2024). This project focused on enhancing analytical methods to detect unregulated toxins, assessing contamination levels, and developing rapid detection techniques. The project proposal emphasizes the need to establish a comprehensive monitoring system to mitigate future risks, particularly as climate change expands the range of toxic marine species. This project aims to advance our understanding of marine biotoxin contamination and strengthen seafood safety measures in South Korea by aligning them with international standards. This special issue compiles knowledge accumulated and technical advancements related to marine biotoxins, stemming from the outcomes of this project. It includes 12 papers describing analyses of various regulated and unregulated marine biotoxins, the current prevalence of seafood contamination, toxicity assessments, rapid analytical methods, and the state of safety management.

식품의약품안전처는 기후 변화 및 수입 식품 다변화에 따른 위험 요소에 선제적으로 대응하기 위해 신규 출현 가능 해양생물독소 뿐만 아니라 현재 관리하고 있는 분야 까지 포함한 ‘해양생물 독소의 선제적 대응을 위한 안전 관리망 구축’ 사업을 5년에 걸쳐 추진하고 있다. 이 사업 을 통해 국내 연안에서 발생하는 해양생물독소 뿐만 아니 라 해외에서 발생하는 독소 사고에 신속하게 대응함으로 새로운 해양독소의 유입과 피해를 방지하고, 국내외에서 관리되는 독소 및 신규 독소를 국가 차원에서 관리 감독 할 수 있는 시스템을 마련하여 우리나라 수산물 안전관리 수준을 국제적으로 향상시켜 국내 수산업의 안전을 강화 하고 수출 경쟁력 확보에도 기여할 것으로 기대된다.

국내에서 V. parahaemolyticus로 인한 식중독 사고가 지 속적으로 보고되고 있으며, 최근 국내 수산물 판매량 및 수산물 양식에 사용되는 항생제 판매량은 증가하는 추세 이다. 따라서 본 연구는 국내에 유통되는 수산물에서 분 리한 V. parahaemolyticus의 분포, 항생제 감수성, 유전적 특성 및 유전학적 통계를 조사하였다. 79건의 유통 수산 물로부터 47건(59.5%)에서 V. parahaemolyticus가 분리되 었다. 항생제 내성 양상의 경우, 총 47균주의 분리 균주에 서는 ampicillin에 2균주(4.3%)가 내성을 보였으며, 이외 균주는 모든 항생제에 대해 감수성을 보였다. 항생제 내 성 유전자의 경우, 모든 균주(100%)로부터 blaCARB family gene, tet(35), catC가 확인되었으며, 1균주(2.1%)에서는 fos 가 확인되었다. 병원성 유전자 여부의 경우, 모든 분리 균 주에서 tdh, trh 유전자는 확인되지 않았으나, T3SS1은 모든 균주(100%), T3SS2는 1균주(2.1%)에서 확인되었다. MLST의 경우, 17균주로부터 15가지의 ST가 확인되었으 며, ST 658가 3균주, 이외 14가지 ST는 1균주씩 확인되 었다. 확인된 ST는 대부분 중국, 태국 등의 환경 분리주로 확인되었으며, ST 396, ST 3042는 중국 임상 분리주로부터 확인되었다. 이로써, 최근 국내에 수산물과 관련한 식중독, 유통량, 항생제 판매량 등의 추세에 따른 위험성에 V. parahaemolyticus에 대한 지속적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 사 료되며, 본 연구는 그에 대한 도움이 될 것이라 사료된다.

In this study, the effect of Distribution efficiency through the fishery production base distribution center (FPC) on the production site board facility was studied. FPC is a new distribution system for Korean fishery products that has been promoted in earnest since 2012, and in this study, the effect before and after the introduction of FPC was analyzed using the DID (Difference in Difference) model for the effect of FPC in the fishery industry. The results of analysis shows that in the case of Wando Geumil FPC, the volume and unit price of consignment sales decreased during the analysis period, which was statistically significant. In the case of Sokcho FPC, the volume of consignment sales decreased during the analysis period, which was statistically insignificant. But the unit price of consignment sales rose during the analysis period, which was statistically significant. In the case of Gyeongju FPC, the volume of consignment sales increased during the analysis period, which was statistically significant at the 90% confidence level. But the unit price of consignment sales fell during the analysis period, which was statistically significant.

This study analyzes the impact of import country environments on Korean fishery exports. To achieve the research objective, focusing on trade facilitation and import market aspects, the import country environment was modeled and analyzed by panel gravity analysis technique. In the basic export model considering only the trade facilitation aspect, agriculture and institutional factors had a significant impact on Korean fishery exports. However, when considering both trade facilitation and import market aspects, it was found that import market aspect had a greater influence on Korean fishery exports than trade facilitation aspect. Specifically, the import market factor that had the most positive impact on Korean fishery exports was the GDP of the import country. GDP, representing the economic scale of the country, indicates consumer purchasing power through per capita GDP. Hence, a higher GDP level implies a higher consumer purchasing power, suggesting a higher potential consumption of fishery products. The second positive factor influencing Korean fishery exports was food imports in the import country. Therefore, to expand Korean fishery exports, it is essential to target countries with high levels of GDP and food imports. Conversely, factors negatively affecting Korean fishery exports were merchandise imports and population in the import country. Therefore, countries with high levels of these negative factors should be managed as demarketing targets. Additionally, trade facilitation variables, which have relatively smaller influence, such as transparency and institutions, also significantly impact Korean fishery exports. While transparency has a positive effect, institution has a negative effect. Thus, to expand Korean fishery exports, strategies should focus on countries with high transparency and less stringent institutional regulations.

In the post-COVID-19, the food industry is rapidly reshaping its market structure toward online distribution. Rapid delivery system driven by large distribution platforms has ushered in an era of online distribution of fresh seafood that was previously limited. This study surveyed 1,000 consumers nationwide to determine their online seafood purchasing behaviors. The research methodology used factor analysis of consumer lifestyle and Heckman’s ordered probit sample-selection model. The main results of the analysis are as follows. First, quality, freshness, selling price, product reviews from other buyers, and convenience are particularly important considerations when consumers purchase seafood from online shopping. Second, online retailers and the government must prepare measures to expand seafood consumption by considering household characteristics and consumer lifestyles. Third, it was analyzed that consumers trust the quality and safety of seafood distributed online platforms. It is not possible to provide purchase incentives to consumers who consider value consumption important, so improvement measures are needed. The results of this study are expected to provide implications on consumer preferences to online platforms, seafood companies, and producers, and can be used to establish future marketing strategies.

This study explores strategies to expand Korea's top 10 seafood export in the oversea market, with a specific focus on the impact of export concentration. For certain seafood items such as laver, crab, and mackerel, characterized by low export concentration, adopting a focused export expansion strategy is more effective. Conversely, highly concentrated seafood items such as toothfish, cod, pollack, and abalone face high risks in export performance due to their heavy reliance on a small number of key export countries. To ensure export stability, it is advisable to implement a diversified export expansion strategy for these highly concentrated seafood items. In the case of medium-concentration seafood items like tuna, oyster, and flounder, the decision between a concentrated or diversified strategy should be based on their specific export situations. Tailoring strategies to the distinctive market characteristics of each seafood item enables exporters to effectively increase oversea market share, promoting stability and sustained growth in export performance.

본 연구는 패류 독소 중 기억상실성 독성을 유발하는 domoic acid의 분석법 개선, 검증 및 분석적용성을 살펴보 았다. SAX 카트리지 정제, 검체 및 추출용매 양의 변경 과 더불어 이동상을 용매구매 조건으로 변경시킨 분석법 은 지중해담치, 홍게 그리고 멸치의 세 가지 매트릭스를 대상으로 세 농도에 대하여 식품공전법과 비교하여 유효 성을 검증하였다. 그 결과 변경된 분석법은 LOD 0.02-0.03 mg/kg, LOQ 0.05-0.09 mg/kg, 일내 및 일간 정확도 86.2- 100.4%와 일내 및 일간 정밀도 0.2-4.0%로 CODEX가이 드라인을 만족하는 우수한 분석능을 나타내었다. 특히 변 경된 시험법에서는 domoic acid와 유사한 머무름 시간을 갖는 방해물질이 검출되지 않아 위양성 결과를 방지할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 더 나아가 본 분석법이 국내 유통 중인 수산물을 대상으로 적용될 수 있는지 확인하고자 식 품공전의 기억상실성 패독 분석법과 함께 수산물에 적용 하여 분석하였다. 그 결과 5종의 수산물 87건 중 공전시 험법으로 분석했을 때 domoic acid가 검출된 시료는 없었 으나 변경된 분석법을 통하여 멸치 1건에 대하여 0.14 mg/ kg의 domoic acid이 미량 검출되었다. 따라서 본 연구에 서 확립된 분석법은 수산물 중 domoic acid 분석에 활용 이 가능할 것으로 보인다.

The United States is Korea’s important trading partner, ranking third (13.7%) in exports of fishery products in Korea. The impact on exports to the United States is expected to be significant if the seafood import provisions under the MMPA are implemented in 2024 accordingly. It is expected that documents proving production information will be required for all items when exporting to the U.S. Therefore, this study attempted to examine the current status of exports and exporters in order to understand the actual conditions of major fishery products exported to the United States. Besides, there are currently no official system and procedures in Korea to prove production information for all fishery items, so we tried to suggest implications by examining distribution channels for major export items to the U.S. In this study, five items including seaweed and halibut as domestic aquaculture items, tuna and squid as deep-sea fishing items, and fish cake using imported raw materials were selected as the target items for distribution channel investigation. In addition, this study is meaningful in that it investigated the routes from production to processing, distribution, and export of each item and identified detailed distribution channel for major items exported to the U.S.

V. parahaemolyticus causes waterborne and foodborne disease such as acute diarrhea. In this study, V. parahaemolyticus isolates from seawater, fish tanks, and distributed fishery products in Jeju were investigated for potential toxin or species-specific genes (tdh, trh, tlh, and toxR) using RT-PCR and their genetic characteristics were analyzed using Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Overall, V. parahaemolyticus of 90 strains (36.7%), including 33 strains from seawater, 8 strains from fish tanks, and 50 strains from fishery products, were isolated from 245 samples. All V. parahaemolyticus strains did not detect the tdh gene, whereas all strains detected tlh or toxR genes. In addition, trh genes were detected in 3 strains from seawater and 1 strain from fishery products. Monthly quantitative testing of seawater revealed that V. parahaemolyticus was positively correlated with water temperature. The 90 strains of V. parahemolyticus obtained in this study showed by gene homology between types, ranging from 64.0–97.3%. Among these, thirteen types showed 100% homology between genes. These results indicate that continuous monitoring is needed to facilitate food poisoning epidemiological investigations because some isolated V. parahaemolyticus strains harbored toxin genes and V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from seawater, fish tanks, and distributed fishery products showed genetic similarity.

본 연구에서는 수산물 시료 중 Salmonella spp. 검출을 위해 단시간의 전배양(2시간 이내)과 탈염과정을 포함한 DNA 추출법을 사용하여 분자생물학적 검출을 위한 수산 물 전처리 방법에 대해 연구하였다. 배양 시간에 따른 증 균 효율을 탐색하기 위해 100, 101 및 102 CFU/mL농도 의 Salmonella spp. 5종을 NB 0.5에 접종하여 증균 전, 1시간 및 2시간 동안의 증균 효율을 비교하였다. 그 결 과, 2시간 동안 모든 농도에서 약 1 log CFU/mL가 증균 되어 초기 농도와 유의적인 차이가 나타났다. 또한 지역 별 패류시료에 S. Typhimurium을 인위적으로 감염시킨 뒤 DNA를 추출하여 염농도를 측정한 결과, 모든 시료의 염농도가 0%로 DNA 추출과 동시에 탈염이 이루어진 것 을 확인하였다. 이후 추출한 DNA를 사용하여 PCR을 수 행한 결과 모든 시료에서 S. Typhimurium의 특이적 양성 밴드가 확인되었다. 다음으로 수산물 시료 중 Salmonella spp. 검출을 위한 증균 과정과 탈염을 포함한 DNA 추출 방법의 검증을 위해 멸균 홍합시료 및 비멸균 홍합시료 에 Salmonella spp. 5종을 인공적으로 약 100, 101, 102 CFU/g의 농도로 오염시켜 전배양과 DNA를 추출하여 PCR로 특이적 증폭 밴드의 여부를 확인한 결과, 모든 농 도의 Salmonella spp. 5종에서 특이적 밴드가 확인되었다 . 결과적으로 본 연구에서 제시한 전배양 및 DNA 추출 방법을 포함한 전처리 방법과 PCR을 사용하여 수산물 시 료에서 10 CFU/g 미만의 Salmonella spp.를 검출하였으 며, 시간과 비용면에서 효율적이며 과정이 복잡하기 않기 때문에 수산물의 처리 현장에 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기 대된다.

This study analyzed the determinants that affect the purchase of ready-to-cook seafood products using the “Consumer Attitude Survey on Processed Foods” from 2018 to 2021. Dietary lifestyle, food awareness and preference survey questions were categorized, and factors affecting the purchase probability of ready-to-cook seafood were identified through a binomial logit model. The main research findings are as follows. First, consumers had higher preference for quality, safety, and new taste factors than health and price factors when purchasing HMR (Home Meal Replacement). Second, through binomial logit model analysis, the probability of purchasing ready-to-cook seafood products was low in the group pursuing taste and economy. On the other hand, the purchase probability was high in the group seeking convenience. Third, the purchase probability of ready-to-cook seafood products was higher in households with two or more persons than in single-person households. These results suggest that differentiated product development and marketing strategies should be needed for each consumer groups in the seafood convenience food market

The Korean tariff rate for fishery products is a single tax rate of 10% for live fish and frozen seafood, and 20% for all others. Since FTAs have been concluded with several countries, the tariffs is not an appropriate means to protect domestic fishery producers. The differential tariff rate according to the scientific name (genus) of the fishery products, which was implemented 30 years ago to protect fishery products produced in the Korean coastal waters has lost its original purpose. It seems that future fishery trade policy should focus on IUU prevention, hygiene and safety of consumers rather than protecting fishery producers through customs tariffs. This paper suggest that a paradigm shift in the fishery producers protection policies such as direct financial support from the state, protection and development of fishery resources, and support for fostering the 6th industry rather than indirect protection through tariffs.

The introduction of the wholesalers system is being considered from various aspects in order to improve the problems of the listed auction system of wholesale corporations. The wholesalers system is a corporation that receives designation from the creator and purchases or consigns agricultural and fishery products to wholesale or broker sales, and has the advantage of reducing the distribution stage and distribution costs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the wholesalers system introduced to improve the problems of the listed auction system of wholesale corporations through a case study of market wholesalers handling fishery products.

In addition to simply providing quality food to the people, the fishery industry must be maintained and developed because it has various functions such as national food security, preservation of natural scenery, protection of national territory, and revitalization of the local economy. However, risk factors such as climate changes and environmental destruction have raised concerns about the sustainable development of the industry. Since these risk factors are becoming larger and more complex over time, it is time to conduct research related to the risk of the fishery industry. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the risk factors facing the fisheries at this point, to analyze the economic ripple effect of regional fishery product supply shortage, and to draw implications. As a result of this study, the economic ripple effect of fishery product shortage per won was highest in Busan, followed by Gangwon, Gyeongnam, and Gyeongbuk. Considering the size of the local fishery industry, Busan had the highest supply shortage per 1% of local fisheries production. It is also necessary to prepare special risk management and countermeasures for these regions since the effect of supply shortage in regions such as Jeonnam, Gyeongnam, and Jeju is large compared to other regions.

This study aims to investigate protein consumption market trends in Korea. Protein consumption was divided according to the protein source into meat, fishery, and plant-based protein. To accomplish the goal of this study, food purchase data from 525 households panels collected by the Rural Development Administration over the last 10 years were used. The results of the study showed an increase or decrease in protein consumption by protein type over the last 10 years, and a reason to explain this change has been suggested. Specifically, this study found a dramatic increase in the consumption of several proteins, including beef sirloin, beef tenderloin, seasoned beef & steak, pork belly, pork shoulder, pork neck, seasoned pork, pork cutlet, sweet and sour pork, canned ham, chicken drumstick, chicken breast, dak gangjeong, Chinese fried chili chicken, salmon, eel, abalone, squid, octopus, webfoot octopus, octopus minor, canned whelk, tofu, cold bean soup,and plant-based milk. Some items showed no increase in consumption (such as beef jerky, pork rib, sausage, bacon, whole raw chicken, cutlass fish, oyster, fish cake, crab stick, surimi sausage,and canned fishery), whereas a few items showed decreased consumption (e.g., mackerel, pollack, cod,and canned tuna)

Fishery products play an important role in Korean food culture, and awareness of the safety of fishery products is increasing in the seafood market. Against this backdrop, Japan has announced a plan to release radioactive water to the sea from 2023. In the case of Korea, it is adjacent to the area to be discharged, so there are concerns about securing the safety of marine products. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the change in perception and impact of marine product consumers due to the discharge of contaminated water and to study appropriate countermeasures when discharging contaminated water from nuclear power plants. In this study, the current status of radioactive contaminated water discharge in Japan was summarized, and a survey was conducted on the change in the consumption perception of marine products according to the discharge of contaminated water to analyze the factors affecting the consumption change of domestic consumers. According to the survey, 85.3% of the respondents said that it will affect the purchase of domestic marine products if Japan starts discharging contaminated water from nuclear power plants. Moreover, 85.5% of the respondents said it will affect the purchase of imported marine products.

The effect of change in exchange rates on an economy is very important, especially, to a small open economy like South Korea. I explore whether Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have positive influences on exchange rate-pass through import price of import market for fishery products in South Korea. Competition among FTA partners is enhanced after FTAs are effective. I expect that the extent to which are exchange rate pass-through (hereafter, ERPT) into import price of fishery products (in terms of Korea currency) would be reduced since the import market for fishery products in South Korea is an oligopolistic market. Specifically, I　investigate two research questions with six South Korea’s FTA partners─Norway, Thailand, Peru, U.S., China and Vietnam. First, whether the extent to which are exchange rate pass-through into import price of fishery products from six FTA partners would decrase in the post-FTA era; seconds, the size of reduction has a negative relation with the size of their market share in the import market for fishery products in South Korea if it decreases. The empirical results indicate that the degree of ERPT into import price from other FTA partners than Norway has been reduced after FTA, statistically and significantly; however, I do not find the evidence that the size of reduction is related to their market share. The findings in this study imply that FTAs have negative effects on producers’ economic welfare in South Korea’s fishery industry by reducing the extent to which are exchange rate pass-through as well as reducing tariff barriers.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the distribution of toxin genes and antimicrobial resistance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from seafood in Gwangju. A total of 335 seafood, including 163 shellfish, 97 fish, and 36 mollusk, were tested in this study. As a result, V. parahaemolyticus was detected in 123 (36.7%) of 335 seafood. The tdh gene was not detected in all strains, while the trh gene was detected in 3 strains (2.4%). According to antimicrobial susceptibility test, 116 strains (94.3%) represent resistance to ampicillin, and 1 strain (0.8%) represents resistance to trimethoprim/sulfametoxazole. However, all strains were sensitive to 9 antimicrobial agents, including amikacin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and more. Therefore, the risk of V. parahaemolyticus isolated from seafood in Gwangju is considered low, but continuous monitoring of V. parahaemolyticus in seafood is required.

This study used the big data method to analyze the chronological frequency of seafood appearance and variety mentioned by the veritable records of the Joseon dynasty. The findings will be used as a basis for Joseon Period’s food cultural research. The web-crawling method was used to digitally scrap from the veritable records of the Joseon dynasty of Joseon’s first to the twenty-seventh king. A total of 9,536 cases indicated the appearance of seafood out of the 384,582 articles. Seafood were termed ‘‘seafood” as a collective noun 107 times (1.12%), 27 types of fish 8,372 times (87.79%), 3 types of mollusca (1.28%), 18 types of shellfish 213 times (2.23%), 6 types of crustacean 188 times (1.97%), 9 types of seaweed 534 times (5.60%). Fish appeared most frequently out of all the recorded seafood. Sea fish appeared more frequently than the freshwater fish. Kings that showed the most Strong Interest Inventory (SII) were: Sungjong from the 15thcentury, Sehjo from the 15th, Youngjo from the 18th, Sehjong from the 15th, and Jungjo from the 18th respectively. Kings of Chosen were most interested in seafood in the 15th and 18th centuries.