While particpating in the 2011 PET International Exhibition held in Beijing to exhibit the seahorses we produced, I got to know about the huge TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) market in China for the first time through a Chinese buyer. After returning to Korea, I began to engage in full-scale research to develop mass seahorse production technology with the support of the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology Promotion. After multiple trials and errors, we are at the forefront of seahorse production with the largest seahorse production in the world in 2014, surpassing leading global seahorse production companies that have established technology way ahead of us. In 2016, we became HAECHUNMA CO.,LTD. a fishery corporation, and officially started seahorse farming with the support of the government (KRW 485 million) by expanding our facilities for large-scale seahorse farming.

Since about 500 years ago, the seahorse has been widely used as a medicinal and food ingredient in Southeast Asian countries as well as in China. Despite its excellent efficacy, the seahorse is classified as a global endangered species due to ecological characteristics as well as environmental changes that have led to the worldwide destruction of seahorse habitats. Having a biological characteristic of little or no migratory behavior, the seahorse lacks the ability to escape and survive once its habitat is exposed to humans, resulting in extermination. Its precarious situation is also fueled by very low fertility and slow recovery rate.

Here, the entry of China, an economic power responsible for 80% of global seahorse consumption, dramatically increases seahorse consumption which makes the seahorse more vulnerable. For the protection of the endangered seahorse species and for the many consumers who take seahorse for health benefits, we have continuously worked on the development of marine fish production technology and have succeeded in upgrading it to the best in the world. This has enabled us to not only protect endangered seahorses but also to contribute to the health of mankind.

Together with experts from the College of Medicine and the College of Ocean Science at Jeju National University, HAECHUNMA sets to conduct scientific investigations on the efficacies and functions of the seahorse and dry process our seahorse produce into fine powder, then supply it as a raw ingredient to the local health supplement industry in future. In addition, we plan to build a global seahorse exhibition hall to allow consumers to witness the farming, production and processing processes. It will be used as a tourism resource, promoting the exceptional value of Clean Jeju seahorses through Clean Jeju lava seawater and HACCP processing facilities. This will attract HAECHUNMA member companies to the area around the farming business and offer visitors opportunities to tour production facilities of high-value-added health foods, cosmetics, seahorse wine and seahorse tea etc. By creating a seahorse business complex where visitors may see, eat and enjoy firsthand experience, we aim to create an all-encompassing complex that ranges from the primary industry to the sixth-level industry.

Despite being only at the beginning stages, we look forward to the support of the government, interested companies and individuals so as to continue development as the first seahorse farming business in Korea, and also continue expansion as a global business.

All of us here at HAECHUNMA CO.,LTD. promise to do our best to help mankind lead a happy life through beauty and health.

Seom, No CEO of HAECHUNMA CO.,LTD.