Pigs and Flounder Stunned by Heatwave... Consecutive Deaths Reported in Jeju

As the relentless heatwave continues, some 21,000 cultured flounder have died in Jeju, drawing attention to whether this will lead to the region's first high water temperature damage of the year.

Damage from the heatwave is spreading across both land and sea, with consecutive pig deaths reported at livestock farms as well.

According to Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on the 28th, reports of flounder deaths were filed on the 24th at two fish farms in Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo, prompting a joint on-site inspection today by the provincial government, administrative cities, and the National Institute of Fisheries Science.

While the initial scale of damage was estimated at around 9,000 fish, additional tallying revealed that the number of dead flounder increased to approximately 21,000.

The provincial government plans to investigate the cause of death to determine whether the losses were caused by high water temperatures associated with rising temperatures.

If the investigation confirms that high water temperatures were the cause, it will be recorded as the first fish farm high water temperature damage case in Jeju this year.

At the time of the mortality reports, the farming water temperature was reportedly around 27 to 28°C (81 to 82°F).

However, as the water temperature was found to have dropped during today's on-site inspection, relevant agencies are comprehensively verifying whether high water temperatures were the direct cause of death.

An official from Jeju Province said, "The case has currently been reported as suspected damage from high water temperatures," adding, "We will make a final determination on whether it is high water temperature damage based on the results of the on-site inspection."

Livestock damage due to the heatwave is also growing.

As of the morning of the 27th, 1,290 pigs had died across 60 pig farms in the province.

While farmers are operating ventilation fans, cooling systems, and fog spraying devices, they remain concerned about additional damage due to the prolonged heatwave.

With heatwave warnings in effect across all of Jeju, the Korea Meteorological Administration expects the highest perceived temperature to rise above 35°C (95°F) in some areas, prompting calls for special caution regarding heat-related illnesses and damage to the agricultural, livestock, and fisheries sectors.
 

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.