KOR
▲ Fishing boats creating waves to prevent abalone mortality
Abalone farmers engaged in a desperate struggle in boiling seas are facing a double whammy.
This is because abalone prices, which plummeted due to high water temperatures, show little sign of recovery.
Gangjin-gun, Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Special City, has launched an all-out response, including hastily holding an emergency meeting with abalone farming fishermen to discuss countermeasures against high water temperatures and inspect distribution conditions.
Currently, the waters of Maryang in Gangjin fluctuate drastically by more than 5 degrees Celsius, with daily water temperatures ranging from a low of 25.1°C (77°F) to a high of 30.1°C (86°F) as of the 27th.
Amid growing concerns over ecological stress and deteriorating growth environments for abalones, the county has actively stepped up its response to high water temperatures, while local farmers are struggling with all their might to prevent abalone deaths.
The County Abalone Farming Association has launched the navigation of fishing boats around net pens, a special countermeasure unique to Gangjin-gun.
This is an emergency measure to create artificial waves, circulate water between the surface and lower layers, and supply oxygen.
Farmers are also striving to achieve even a minor water temperature reduction effect by using disaster-prevention nets with a depth of 5 meters instead of the conventional 3-meter nets.
One fisherman shared, "Ahead of the Chuseok peak season, I am monitoring the farms all day long for fear that the abalones might die," adding, "The desperate struggle of farmers to prevent abalone deaths is heartbreaking."
High water temperatures are not the only thing tightening the grip on abalone farmers.
Abalone prices have continued to decline every year.
As production increased and sluggish consumption coincided with an economic downturn, the farm-gate price of abalones plummeted from 26,000 won (per 1 kg, based on 20 abalones) in 2022 to 10,000 won as of July this year.
On top of this, problems have arisen such as the distribution sector purchasing abalones in bulk without sorting them by size, leaving farmers deeply distressed from all sides.
Farmers complained, "To stay afloat, we are reluctantly shipping them out at bargain prices as the backlog of unsold abalones worsens."
(Photo provided by Gangjin-gun, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
