Korea Environment Institute (KEI) and Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) report that estuarine environment, one of the most valuable ecosystems, has been under a major pressure and might be further degraded unless proper contermeasres are taken.

KEI and KMI conducted a comprehensive analysis on socioeconomic values, ecologies, water qualities and managements of 17 estuaries in Korea. According to the analysis, destruction and fragmentation of habitats in Geum, Yeongsan, Ansung, and Sabgyo estuaries are reported to be very serious due to reclamation and construction of dikes. It is estimated that about 30% of current estuarine habitats would be lost in the next ten years due to the same reasons. In addition, the water quality of coastal reservoirs formed by construction of dikes in estuary are reported to be very poor. The COD levels of the water are in level IV or V, which are the worst and the second worst water quality levels. Nutrient concentration in coastal waters including the reservoirs that cause eutrophication or red tides are gradually increasing; thus it is necessary to implement countermeasures promptly.

Estimating the environmental value of Seomjin estuary at around 2.9 million Won/ha, KEI emphasized to formulate and implement an integrated estuarine environment management. As an ideal management framework, KEI suggested a strategy, aiming at 'Creation of Diverse, Abundant, and Productive Estuaries'. In the framework, estuary management targets and associated implementation measures were identified for four major management sectors: protection and conservation of valuable estuaries, improvement of deteriorated environmental conditions, restoration of estuarine habitats, and establishment of watershed-based estuary management systems.