1 week Ago By Korea Bizwire
The Busan Port Authority (BPA) and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency jointly conducted a pilot seawater-spraying operation. (Image courtesy of BPA) BUSAN, South Korea, April 12 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea is testing an unconventional, eco-friendly method to control invasive pests at one of its busiest ports. The Busan Port Authority (BPA) and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency jointly conducted a pilot seawater-spraying operation from April 9 to 10, targeting a container yard at the port’s Sin Gamman terminal, officials announced Friday.
The initiative comes amid a growing number of sightings of invasive ant species—including the red imported fire ant and the longhorn crazy ant—at major trade ports. These pests pose ecological and logistical risks, and authorities are seeking non-chemical solutions to prevent their spread through maritime gateways. Seawater, which is abundant and easily accessible at ports, has been shown to suppress the presence of certain weeds and ant colonies without relying on herbicides or other chemicals.
During the two-day trial, officials sprayed seawater over approximately 60,000 square meters of container yard, followed by the installation of traps to monitor pest populations and evaluate the method’s effectiveness. If proven successful, the BPA and the quarantine agency plan to expand the seawater-spraying strategy across Busan Port and encourage terminal operators to adopt it voluntarily. “A practical response to curb the spread of invasive species at ports is essential,” a BPA official said.
“Using a sustainable and widely available resource like seawater not only protects the port’s environment but also improves operational efficiency.” policy measures aimed at expanding the use of such safety-enhancing technologies. Ashley Song ( ashley@koreabizwire.
com ).
