Heavy rain causes delayed disaster, Chiayi oysters die suddenly

Heavy rain caused delayed disasters, and oysters in Chiayi died suddenly. (Photo provided by Chiayi County Government)

Affected by continuous torrential rains in late August, Chiayi's coastal oysters have recently experienced delayed mortality. After receiving reports from oyster farmers, the Chiayi County Government recently invited water testing stations, fishermen's associations and public offices to investigate the disaster, and proposed cash assistance to the central government. The Ministry of Agriculture announced on the 9th the natural disaster cash assistance for oysters in Chiayi County. The county government called on those who are qualified and meet the requirements for assistance to apply to the local public office from now until September 23.

The County Agricultural Department pointed out that the low pressure zone and continuous heavy rains in late August caused poor walrus conditions and large amounts of fresh water flowing into the ocean. The oysters were smaller due to the tight environment. Delayed disasters such as opening and death have also been discovered recently. According to the results of the disaster survey team's overseas sampling survey, the average mortality rate was about 25%, which met the standards for initiating agricultural natural disaster relief. Therefore, the county government reported to the central government for assistance.

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The Department of Agriculture stated that the cash assistance targets are natural persons who are actually engaged in fishery production, hold a regional fishery rights license, complete this year's stocking quantity declaration, and have a loss rate of more than 20%. The relief amount is 25,000 yuan per shed for raft-type sheds and 87,500 yuan per hectare for flat-mounted sheds.

When victims go to the public office to apply, they should bring their ID card, seal, bankbook of the Farmers and Fisheries Association, zoning fishery rights license, stocking amount declaration and other documents. They can also make good use of the Ministry of Agriculture's "Agricultural and Industrial Natural Disasters On-Site Photography APP" to take photos and save them as supporting reference materials for the public office's disaster damage determination.

Oyster people said that if the weather is good, the oysters are expected to be plump again in 7 to 10 days. Although shelled oysters are a little tight during the Mid-Autumn Festival, they should all be available, but the prices will be chaotic. The price per kilogram will fall between 60 and 80 yuan. It is recommended to shop around to avoid suffering a loss.

If the weather is good, the supply of shelled oysters during the Mid-Autumn Festival will not be a problem. (Photo by reporter Cai Zongxun)