December 8, 2006

South Korea plans to open first hospital for fishes
 

Fish farmers with hurt herring and traumatised tuna now have a place to send their fish, as the South Korean government is considering a fish hospital where vets would be on hand to cure fish illnesses.

South Korea has earmarked 5.4 billion won (US$5.8 million) for an aquatic hospital at Pukyong National University in the southern port city of Pusan to treat fishes from fish farms, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said.

The economic loss incurred from fish diseases, which have increased over the years, cost the industry 300 billion won (US$326 million) annually, the ministry said.

Farms will send samples of sick fish to the hospital, which will then advise and implement a treatment.

Through this set up, South Korea would be able to build up expertise in fish diseases, Chung Joon-ki, professor of aquatic life at Pukyong University said.