• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

Fishing pots are one of the important fishing gears in our coastal and offshore fisheries. In terms of a sustainable use of marine resources, there are concerns about the ghost fishing by lost pots. It is reported that 10 to 70% of the pots are abandoned or lost annually. This study is to compare the catching efficiency of drum type whelk pots that are made of biodegradable nets to those made of the ordinary nets, in the eastern coast of Korea. Five types of drum pots were used with combination of biodegradable nets and ordinary (PA, PE) nets applied to the main and funnel parts of the pots: pots with biodegradable nets (Bio+Bio); pots with PE net (PE+PE); pots with body and funnel made of biodegradable nets and PE nets respectively (Bio+PE); pots with body and funnel made of PE nets and PA nets respectively (PE+PA); pots with body and funnel made of PE nets and biodegradable net respectively (PE+Bio). Field experiments were conducted from June $18^{th}$, 2015 to August $7^{th}$, 2015 using a commercial fishing vessel in the Uljin waters on the eastern coast of Korea. Two fleets of pots with one hundred in each, 20 pots of each type, were casted for 8 to 15 days to analyze their catching efficiency. The catch of target species, whelks, was 202,563.0 g with catch rate of 38.7% of the total catch, while the bycatch was 320,709.7 g with the rate of 61.3% of the total catch. The catch of whelks was the highest in the Bio+PE pots (46,020.3 g), followed by the Bio+Bio pots (42,027.5 g), the PE+Bio pots (41,849.9 g) and the lowest being PE+PE pots (38,054.2 g). Compared to the conventional pots, the pots with biodegradable nets on the body or entrance part had slightly higher catch rate for both the target species and the bycatch. The PE+PE had the lowest catch rate. There is no significant difference in catch between the pots with biodegradable nets and the ordinary nets for the target species such as Buccinum opisthoplectum, Neptunea eulimata, Buccinum striatissimum. Consequently, using biodegradable nets for the conventional whelk pots can reduce ghost fishing by lost gears while keeping the performance of the pots.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 1995

Vertical distribution of eggs and larvae of Maurolicus muelleri were studied in the south-eastern waters of Korea during 1985 and 1986. Samples were collected vertically at three different layers, 0~30 m, 30~50m and 50~100m. The densities of egg and larva were high in August. Eggs and zooplankton were abundant around the thermocline in the temperature range of $10{\sim}15^{\circ}C$ at the layers of 50 m depth in 1985, and 30~100m depth in 1986. Eggs in the cleavage stage were abundant at the layer of 50~100m depth, while those of processing embryonic body formation were tended to concentrate at the layer of 30~50m depth. The vertical distribution of each developmental stage differed according to sampling time. They were distributed uniformly at water column from 30 m to 100m depth in the midnight, but concentrated at the layer from 30 m to 50 m from dawn to sunset. Before and after midnight, eggs in the cleavage stage were most abundant. It was assumed that M. muelleri spawned at the layer of 50~100m depth around the midnight, and the eggs ascended to the layer of 30~50m depth with development.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.331-340
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• 1992

A study on the spawning and fecundity of anchovy, Engraulis japonica, in the southern waters of Korea was carried out on the basis of data collected from gonad examination during March-september, 1991. Spawning period showed that length class in the range of 9-12cm fork length occurred during May-July, whereas adults above 12cm from March to September. In comparison with the oocyte compositions of the ovary of anchovy adult caught at sunrise and sunset, together with variation of the gonad weight and sex ratio of the fish sampled during time between 14:00 and 21:00, considering that the oocyte more than 600um in diameter existed much in the samples from sunset compared with that from sunrise, as well as a decreasing trend in the gonad weight and proportion of female of anchovy taken around sunset, spawning was estimated to occur mainly after sunset. The proportion of the adult with a pronounced peak above 600um in oocyte composition was estimated to be about $20\%$ of the spawning population. Fecundity was estimated to the range of about 23,000-315,000 with batch fecundity of 1,857-8,223 and specific batch fecundity of $438\pm146$.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 1989

A study on quantitative phytoplankton samples, hydrographic conditions (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen), and nutrients has been performed in the southern waters of the Korean East Sea in early spring. Phytoplankton community showed close correlation with hydrographic conditions. This study area could be divided into three phytohydrographic regions; 1) East Korean Warm Water Region (a branch of Tsushima Current), 2) North Korean Cold Water Region, and 3) offshore water region not affected by other two water regions. Vertical distribution of phytoplankton is dependent upon stability of water column and nutrient concentration. Nutrient concentration shows characteristic distribution according to water masses. N/P ratio of ca. 3 in surface layer indicates that nitrogen is the major limiting nutrient in this area. N/P removal ratio was 12.54 ($r^2$ = 0.96), consistent with the Redified ratio. Primary nitrite maxima at the nitracline depths are thought to be formed by phytoplankton exudation. Secondary nitrite maximum was observed in coastal area with dissolved oxygen content of >5.2 ml/l much higher than <0.25 ml/l in other areas. The mechanism of secondary maximum is different from that of other regions, and whether it may be due to in situ degradation of organic matter by bacterial activity is still open to discuss.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.91-109
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• 2022

The ocean is a significant sink for atmospheric anthropogenic CO₂, absorbing one-third of the total CO₂ emitted by human activities. In return, oceans have experienced significant declines in seawater pH and the aragonite saturation state also called ocean acidification. This study evaluates the distribution of aragonite saturation state, an indicator to assess the potential threat from ocean acidification, by combining newly obtained data from the west coast of South Korea with previous datasets covering the Yellow Sea, East Sea, northern South China Sea, and southeast coast of South Korea. In general, offshore waters absorb atmospheric CO₂; however, most of the collected water samples show aragonite oversaturation. On the southeast coast, the aragonite saturation state was significantly affected by river discharge and associated variables, such as freshwater input with nutrients, seasonal stratification, biological carbon fixation, and bacterial remineralization. In summer, hypoxia and mixing with relatively acidic freshwater made the Jinhae and Gwangyang Bays undersaturated with respect to aragonite, possibly threatening marine organisms with CaCO₃ shells. However, widespread aragonite undersaturation was not observed on the west coast, which receives considerable river water discharge. In addition, occasional upwelling events may have worsened the ocean acidification in the southwestern part of the East Sea. These results highlight the importance of investigating site-specific ocean acidification processes in coastal waters. Along with the above-mentioned seasonal factors, the dissolution of atmospheric CO₂ and the deposition of atmospheric acidic substances will continue to reduce the aragonite saturation state in Korean waters. To protect marine ecosystems and resources, an ocean acidification monitoring program should be established for Korean waters.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.157-170
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• 2013

We investigated the seasonal succession of phytoplankton assemblages in the eastern part of the South Sea of Korea in relation to surface water masses. The study areas are under the direct influence of the Tsushima Warm Current (TCW) throughout the whole year, with its strength known to be seasonally variable. The region is also influenced by coastal waters (CW) driven from the South Sea of Korea and East China Sea, particularly in summer, as indicated by low salinity in the surface water. Nutrient property of the TCW can reveals whether the origin of the TCW is the nutrient-rich Kuroshio Current or the oligotropic Taiwan Warm Current. Surface chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations displayed a large seasonal variation for all stations, with high values found in spring and autumn and low values in summer and winter. At station M (offshore) and P (intermediate location between M and R), Chl-a concentrations in October were higher than those in March, when spring bloom normally occurs. This may be related to deeper mixed layer depths in October. Diatoms dominated under conditions of high nutrient supply in which Chaetoceros spp. and Skeletonema costatum-like spp. were abundant. S. costatum-like spp. dominated at stations R (onshore station) and P in December when there was greater nutrient supply, especially of phosphate. Flagellates and dinoflagellates dominated at all three stations after diatoms blooms. Dominant species were Scrippsiella trochoid in April and Ceratium furca in October at station R, and Gyrodinium spp. and Gymnodinium spp. at station M during summer, when the effect of the oligotropic Taiwan Warm Current and the oligotropic coastal water from East China Sea were strong. Redundancy analysis showed clear seasonal successions in the phytoplankton community and environmental conditions, in which both principal components 1 and 2 accounted for 69.6% of total variance. Our results suggested that environmental conditions seemed to be determined by the origin of the TCW and the relative seasonal strength of the water masses of the TCW and CW, which may affect phytoplankton growth and compositions in the study area.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2002

This study focused on variability of the sea water temperatures observed off the Dangjin Power Plant in the central west coast of Korea for the period of 1998-1999. Spatial averaged temperature shows the annual range of $20.3^{\circ}C$, with minimum of $3.3^{\circ}C$ in February and maximum of $23.6^{\circ}C$ in August. Horizontal distribution patterns are seasonally reversing: The temperatures are increasing toward inshore of the period of April to October, while they are increasing toward of offshore for the rest of year. Spectral analyses of temperature records show significant peaks at M2 and S2 tidal periods, since the water movement in the study area is influenced by strong tide. The responses of temperature variations to tidal phase show different seasonal characteristics: The temperatures are increasing at flood phases in winter and ebb phases in summer. Amplitudes of the components at M2 and S2 periods are $0.8^{\circ}C\;and\;0.5^{\circ}C$, accounting for 70-80% of daily variation. Coherency analyses between non-tidal components of temperature and wind speed show that in summer, northerly wind components significantly coherent with temperature at 2.8 days period, while in winter, southerly wind component is coherent with 2.4 days period, with 0.6 and 0.7 day phase-lags, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.226-244
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• 1998

The relationship between the transport of eggs and larvae of Anchovy (Engraulis japonica) and the oceanic condition in the southern sea of Korea was examined on August and November 1996. In summer (August), when the Tsushima Warm Current is strong near to the coast, the warm waters such as warm streamers from the Tsushima Warm Current intrude into the coastal area, and cyclonic circulations are formed. The warm water intrusions also generate wakes around Komun Island, Sori Island and Koje Island. In the coastal area where the warm water intrusions occur, the nutrients, dissolved oxygen, suspended solid and chlorophyll are concentrated in probably relation to the upwelling concerned with this warm streamer and/or the wakes. Anchovy eggs and larvae are transported to the coastal area by the cyclonic circulations. The hatching and growth of anchovy larvae are increased because of high primary production in the cyclonic circulations. However, as the amount of Copepods which are a main food for anchovy larvae decrease in the coastal area, anchovy larvae seem to move to the Isushima Warm Water area for seeking a prey. In autumn (November), the Tsushima Warm Current is far away from the coast. In this season the warm water intrusions almost disappear, and the small scaled frontal eddies are formed between the coastal water and the Tsushima Warm Water. As the surface water moves towards offshore, few anchovy eggs and larvae were sampled in the survey area. Chemical and biological substances are concentrated in the leftdown sides of the small scaled frontal eddies because of eddy formation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.695-706
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• 1998

SST (Sea Surface. Temperature) fronts which were found in the South-West Sea of Korea and the northern area of the East China Sea were examined in order to clarify their positions, shapes, seasonal changes and the formation mechanism, For this study used SST data rearranged from the SST IR image during 1991 to 1996 and oceanographical data obtained by National Fisheries Research and Development Institute. Temperature front in the Cheju Strait was analyzed by the data obtained from a fisheries guidance ship of Cheju Provincial Government, The coastal frontal zone in the South-West Sea of Korea and the offshore frontal zone in the northern area of the East China Sea can be divided into several types (Type of Winter, Summer, Spring, Autumn and late Autumn), Short term variations of SST fronts have a tendency not to move to any Bleat extent for several days. The location of the frontal zone in the southwestern sea of Cheju Island changes on a much large scale than that of the one in the southern coast of Korea, The frontal Tone, formed every year in the southern sea of Korea approaches closer to the coastal area in winter, and moves closer to the south in spring and autumn. The frontal zone of the southwestern sea of Cheju Island moves in a westerly direction from the east, and reaches its most westerly point in the winter and its most easterly point in the summer related to the seasonal change of the Tsushima Current. Additionally, the frontal zone of the southwestern sea of Korea becomes extremely weak in March, April and November. SST fronts are formed every year around the line connecting Cheju Island to Yeoseo Island or to Chungsan Island in the Cheju Strait. A Ring-shaped tidal mixing front appears along the coastal area of Cheju Island throughout the year except during the months from November to January. Especially, in May and October fronts are formed between the coastal waters of Cheju Island and the Tsushima currents connecting the frontal zone of the coastal region in the southern sea of Korea with that of the southwestern sea of Cheju Island.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2000

We investigated the phytoplankton community from June to September 1997 in the waters off Kohung, Korea where red tides dominated by harmful dinoflagellates had occurred from August to September or October since 1995. We took water samples five times from 5 depths at 6 or less stations in this study period. The most dominant harmful dinoflagellate during the red tide which had outbroken on August 24, 1997 was Gyrodinium impudicum, not Cochlodinium polykrikoides. On August 21 just before the harmful red tide occurred the abundance of G. impudicum at the inner bay station, 90cells $ml^{-1}$, was higher than that at the outer bay station. However, on August 27 just after the red tide had outbroken, the abundance of G. impudicum at the inner bay station did not increase, whereas that at the outer bay increased rapidly and reached to the maximum of 30,000 cells $ml^{-1}$. Instead, diatoms such as Skeleltonema costatum, Chaetoceros pseudocurvisetus, Pseudonitzschia pungens rapidly increased at the inner bay station where fresh water from lands has reached. The high abundance of diatoms might have inhibited the growth of red tide dinoflagellates at this station. The transport of already formed red tide patches from offshore areas, aggregation of scattered cells driven by physical forces, and/or competition between diatom and dinoflagellates might be responsible for this appearance of dense red tide patches at the outer bay station.