Jeju-based startup MegaPlan has developed a technology for mass-producing mackerel, a globally declining species. On the 29th of last month, CEO Yoo Chul-won (49) was met at the MegaPlan aquaculture facility near Jeju Folk Village in Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City. MegaPlan is the first in the world to develop year-round mackerel spawning technology. At the Pyoseon facility, 200,000 mackerels are currently being raised using land-based aquaculture methods, not net cages. Yoo stated, "We are the first in the world to develop technology that can adjust the spawning period to control the shipping period." Although not year-round, Japan was the first to commercialize artificial spawning technology. In Korea, the Gyeongnam Fisheries Resources Research Institute succeeded in artificial spawning and fry farming around 2008-2009, but failed to commercialize it by raising them to adult fish in aquaculture facilities.

● Experience at Samsung Heavy Industries was helpful

Yoo was an engineer responsible for marine architecture and special ship design at Samsung Heavy Industries for over 10 years. In 2019, he started a business combining architectural design and virtual reality (VR), achieving sales of KRW 2.3 billion by 2022, showing some growth.

However, as the real estate market deteriorated, receivables began to accumulate. Yoo said, "I realized I couldn't continue like this, so I considered a business transition. I remembered growing up in Jeju, where my father and relatives were in aquaculture." He thought that if he could engage in a seedling business involving artificial spawning of fry, the high profitability could save the company. His confidence in controlling underwater environments with marine facilities made this choice feasible.

Yoo focused on mackerel. He realized that while demand for mackerel was high, their numbers were dwindling. If mackerel could be farmed, they could be sold as sashimi (live mackerel), which is highly profitable. As of early November, a small live mackerel (around 300g) sells for about KRW 25,000 at sashimi restaurants.

Currently, mackerel are farmed in net cages in the southern coast and Jeju. Fry are purchased from those caught by fishing. Yoo said, "With rising sea temperatures, long-term and stable production of mackerel in net cages is difficult, and considering marine pollution issues like microplastics, we chose land-based aquaculture." Stabilizing the tank system essential for land-based aquaculture, controlling dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH of water, and precise control of water temperature and light were all aligned with the marine facility technologies he handled at Samsung Heavy Industries.

● 100 mini tanks and tears by the Pyoseon sea

Yoo anticipated that KRW 1-1.5 billion would be sufficient to complete development. However, reality was different. The development, which began in earnest in 2022, failed to yield results even after two years, and the remaining KRW 1.5 billion was depleted. Yoo said, "I thought it would work well and started with a large 9m diameter tank. It took too long as I could only experiment with one condition. So, I switched to a 2m tank. Even with 4-5 environments tested simultaneously, I still couldn't find the answer."

Desperation set in. The tanks were divided even smaller. With 100 mini tanks, he set different conditions for light intensity, water temperature, and pH, running them all at once. By quickly repeating trials and errors based on existing research, he sought optimal conditions. Yet, it was not easy. He often cried by the Pyoseon beach with his pet dog, Pyoseon.

Then, on May 2, 2024, at 8:38:16 AM, a decisive moment arrived. Observing mackerel embryos under a microscope, he saw a tiny heart beating. It was the heartbeat he had longed to see. Memories of the two-and-a-half years of day and night dedication and hardship flooded back, and tears flowed uncontrollably. By December of that year, he succeeded in winter spawning, completing the year-round spawning system.

● Importance of controlling spawning period

Controlling the spawning period allows for the production of mackerel with the best taste year-round. Yoo stated, "When mackerel carry eggs in summer, the fat moves to the eggs, making the flesh dry. We can adjust the shipping period so that the eggs don't form, based on the consumption period."

MegaPlan's core technology involves controlling the spawning period of mackerel by adjusting light and water temperature, and raising them to adults using land-based aquaculture technology. All require precise control technology and expertise.

The fish farm incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Infrared cameras and machine vision analyze mackerel behavior and health in real-time, and IoT sensors monitor water quality 24/7.

The use of Jeju lava seawater in aquaculture also plays a significant role. This water, drawn from 70 meters underground, is filtered through basalt layers and is ancient seawater. It contains almost no microplastics or viruses, and its stable year-round temperature of 18 degrees Celsius makes it ideal for aquaculture.

There are risk factors. In aquaculture, when wild fish are considered the first generation, stability is achieved when they reach the third generation, but they are currently in the second generation. Establishing new large-scale aquaculture facilities to lower costs is also a challenge. Plans are in place to utilize his professional experience with marine facilities to establish an economically viable large system.

Yoo is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Marine Life Sciences at Jeju National University. He stated, "With significant help from Professor Heo Seong-pyo at Jeju National University, I am advancing the technology by combining practical work and academic study." To expand the mackerel aquaculture base, he provided mackerel fry to the Jeju Marine and Fisheries Research Institute last year upon their request, and the institute is researching mackerel aquaculture methods as an alternative species to flatfish.

● Supplying domestically and expanding globally

In the aquaculture facility, 200,000 mackerels in 10 tanks have grown to 220g, ready for shipment in January next year. Yoo stated, "With 20 mixed-gender mackerels, we can produce about 200cc of fertilized eggs. By keeping most of those eggs alive, we have raised 200,000 mackerels. If all are sold as sashimi, even at KRW 10,000 each, it amounts to KRW 2 billion." Some are scheduled to be supplied to large supermarkets in January next year. Yoo stated, "We are confident that our mackerel, with adjustable fat content, tastes better than wild ones." MegaPlan has already signed exclusive ranch contracts with large supermarkets. They can supply both sashimi and grilling types. Additionally, proposals for supply have come from Japan and Vietnam, and they are considering export or expansion.

According to MegaPlan, the domestic sashimi market alone is worth KRW 900 billion annually, and when combined with grilling types, it amounts to several trillion KRW. Yoo plans to expand the company to a scale that ships 2 million mackerels 15 times a year. Increasing volume to lower consumer prices is seen as essential for the company's sustainable growth. A modern facility with minimal human intervention is being co-developed with KAIST. For areas without lava seawater, a recirculating filtration system using filtered seawater is planned.

Yoo dreams of expanding globally with land-based mackerel aquaculture. He stated, "Building fish farms in regions with food shortages, like Africa, can provide cheap protein. With low labor costs, production can be even cheaper." His dream is to stably supply mackerel at a consumer price of USD 1.

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