In 2005 the Saemangeum was still unaffected by the US$2.5 billion seawall construction. Lifestyles and the environment remained unchanged with shellfish harvesting at low tide and fishing boats plying the Yellow Sea. Migratory birds still flocked to the Saemangeum to feed before flying to the northern breeding grounds. However previous Saemangeum reclamations already gave an ominous warning for the future.
