Background
Specialty of Jindong-myeon in Changwon - Warty Sea Squirts

Warty sea squirts, known for their unique flavor and crunchy texture, are called “mideodeok” in Korean, as they appear to be “deodeok (mountain herb with roots that have restorative properties)” growing in the sea.

These tiny organisms in a spherical or club shape are found all over the coasts of Korea, yet they had not been consumed until recently, due to their unusual appearance with bumpy surfaces as well as difficulty in immediate consumption. However, in 1999, warty sea squirts were designated as a “farmed seafood variety,” and farming licenses were provided in some of the coastal regions. Since then, warty sea squirts have been farmed at a gradually increasing rate, even in Gohyeon Village, and quickly became a farmed seafood product that contributes heavily to the local economy. Warty sea squirts have also become a local specialty product of Masan.

Festival Overview
Venue: Gwangam Port (next to the Gwangam wholesale market of Jindong Suhyup) in Jindong-myeon, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon
Slogan:『Wellbeing Foods and Health Festival』with 3 different themes
Wellbeing Zone - Presents health foods with anti-cancer effects
Nature Zone - Presents the spring seascape with rape flowers


Description: Opening event (Pungeoje, a ritual performed to have a big catch of fish), contests, participatory events, exhibition and sale events, etc.


Opening events - Folk music troupe performance, Manseon Pungeoje
Participatory event - “Warty sea squirt experience”
Other events - Local Specialty Foods Hall (Masan), Specialty Product Sales Hall, warty sea squirt sharing event, etc.

※ Warty sea squirt experience: “Mideodeok Granny” experience, and tasting of warty sea squirts (spicy raw fish salad)


Host: Changwon Jindong Warty Sea Squirt Festival Committee
Supervision: Supervision: Changwon Seobu National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup)
Sponsors: Gyeongsangnam-do, Changwon City, National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup), Warty Sea Squirt Autonomous Management Community

Festival History
April 11 ~ 13, 2014: The 9th Warty Sea Squirt Festival held at Gwangam Port in Jindong-myeon
April 17 ~ 18, 2010: The 6th Warty Sea Squirt Festival canceled (reason: shellfish poisoning)