• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.79-89
• /
• 2009

For preliminary diagnosis on current fishing ground environment and basic information for establishment of effective and rational management policy in fisheries resources protection area, water and sediment quality and changes of total area in the 10 marine protection areas designated for fisheries resources management in Korea were assessed. Results showed that environmental quality in these areas has been degraded by pollution sources, coastal utilization and development stress, etc. The pattern and degree of contamination differed by protection areas, suggesting that it is necessary for optimum environmental management plan considering the regional characteristics. The total designated area of protection areas in 2003 changed by $-22.9{\sim}2.4%$, on average -6.4%, compared with the first year of designation; Wando-Doam Bay showd the highest increase rate (2.4%), and Hansan Bay has the highest decrease rate (-22.9%) Decrease rate of land and sea in total area showd 6.1% and 6.6%. An integrated management of environmental data in protection areas is required for systematic assessment. Therefore, the suitable environmental and information management is needed specifically considering the environment characteristics such as development and utilization conditions of land and sea area Furthermore, bemuse urbanization and industrialization threats the junctions of the protection areas, authorized ministry (MIFAFF) should develope and establish monitoring and management procedures based on the related laws.