Sejong, February 23 - On February 18, the Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Jeoung Ae) presented the ecological restoration results and future vision during a briefing session on Nakdonggang estuarine restoration held at Eulsukdo Island Busan. The Ministry also opened the estuary gates to flow seawater into the freshwater on the same day. February 18 is when seawater levels are higher than freshwater levels. So, saltwater will flow into the Nakdonggang River if the estuary gates are opened.    

The Ministry of Environment began the Nakdong River estuary restoration project under the vision of "ensuring sustainable ecosystem and life around the Nakdonggang River estuary" this year. On February 9, 2022, members of the Nakdonggang River Water Commission agreed upon the plans for ecological restoration of the brackish water system in the Nakdonggang river estuary. Details on the ecological restoration project are as follows. 

First, the Ministry of Environment will build a stable brackish water system upstream to 15km of the estuary barrage to restore the ecosystem. The Ministry will also monitor the mid-and long-term changes due to the restoration project. 

Second, the Ministry of Environment will keep monitoring changes in stream, land, and groundwater salinity due to saltwater inflow. By doing so, the Ministry will prevent damage from salinity in advance, and it can also drive environmental improvement of the western Nakdonggan River. 

Third, the Ministry will share the benefits from the ecological restoration with local communities by designing eco-tourism programs. The Ministry will also seek ways for citizens to experience the benefits.  

Lastly, the Ministry will strengthen its cooperation among relevant institutions to manage streams, estuary, coasts in an integrated way. 

The Ministry of Environment plans to open the estuary gates three times from February 18 to the end of March so that saltwater can flow upstream of the estuary barrage. Creating a brackish water system by flowing seawater upstream of the estuary barrage happened the first in 35 years since the estuary barrage was built. Considering the dry season, the Ministry of Environment will create the brackish water system only within 9 kilometers from the estuary barrage and monitor the gate-opening effect. 

The Ministry plans to open the gates during every period when seawater levels are higher than freshwater levels so that the brackish water system becomes close to the natural condition. In addition, the Ministry will continuously monitor the effects on the ecosystem, environment, and facilities of the upstream and downstream of the estuary. 

Han Jeoung Ae, Minister of Environment, said, "We expect to see diversifying fish species around the upstream of the estuary due to saltwater inflow." The Minister added, "We will also do our best to ensure a sustainable ecosystem and life around the Nakdonggang River estuary so that farmers can utilize clean water for farming and fishermen can catch eels again."

Contact: LEE Sang-il, Deputy Director

Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation Division, ME

044-201-7041