Heavy Rains Cause 70% Clam Deaths in Chiayi County; County Government Applies for Agricultural Ministry Aid

(CNA, Chiayi County, July 1, reporter Tsai Chih-ming) Continuous heavy rains have caused a large number of clam deaths in Chiayi County. On June 29, DPP legislator Tsai Yi-yu invited representatives from the Fisheries Agency, county government, and other units to sample fish ponds along the coast, finding a mortality rate of 70-80%. The Agriculture Department stated that a letter was sent yesterday requesting the Ministry of Agriculture to announce disaster relief measures.

DPP legislator Tsai Yi-yu posted on Facebook that continuous heavy rains since early June have caused large amounts of freshwater to dilute the fish ponds, severely threatening clam survival. On Monday, he convened the Fisheries Agency, the Fisheries Research Institute, and the County Government's Agriculture Department to inspect Dongshi and Budai to understand the extent of the damage.

The Agriculture Department stated today that inspections and sampling of one fish pond each in Dongshi and Budai revealed a clam mortality rate of 70-80%. Preliminary statistics indicate that over 20% of the county's clam farming has suffered deaths due to this wave of heavy rainfall, with an estimated affected area of 400 hectares, which meets the standard for agricultural natural disaster relief.

The Agriculture Department said that a letter was sent yesterday requesting the Ministry of Agriculture to announce cash relief and low-interest loans for clam farming in Chiayi County. The Ministry of Agriculture is currently reviewing the request. In 2026, Chiayi County had a clam farming area of 841.5 hectares, with Dongshi Township accounting for 238 hectares, Budai Township for 436 hectares, and Yizhu Township for 14 hectares.

Tsai Yi-yu emphasized that past heavy rains have diluted aquaculture water quality, causing "delayed disaster damage." He reminded fishermen to report any large-scale clam deaths to their local township offices as soon as possible. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150701

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