Pyongyang, March 24 (KCNA) -- The West Sea Offshore Farming Institute under the Academy of Fishery Science of the Ministry of Fisheries in the DPRK is making valuable scientific research achievements to push ahead with the development of offshore farming.

Last year the institute introduced functional bottom material amendment and seaweed growth stimulants made out of natural minerals abundant in our country to reduce the mortality of shellfish, sea cucumber and jellyfish and the incidence of diseases of laver and kelp while increasing the production of aquaculture by more than 1.3 times.

It also succeeded in raising the productivity of young sea cucumbers and increasing the per-hectare yield of laver by 1.2 times even at high temperature.

This year, its researchers are working hard to survey and determine the amount of marine resources and production potential in the coastal waters of South Hwanghae Province, to preserve kelp species and select heat-resistant kelp plants in the West Sea, introduce biological activators into the fishing sector and breed high-yielding sea cucumbers so as to open up a bright prospect for increasing seafood production. -0-