The three-generation ban on the shrimp farming experiment is still underway, so please do not jump to conclusions.

No flooding, but still worried!

At the end of last December, I visited the third-generation Cheng Long class, and QQ Mei took me to see the recirculating aquaculture ponds they were planning as their ideal setup. Under the blazing sun, I saw Guo Xiaohai supervising the excavator work, digging a small plot into a pit about 1.5 m deep. At that time, there was no sign of a fish pond taking shape at all. Right then I just thought these young women were truly amazing, actually planning to "plunge" into this. With no aquaculture experience at all, could they really succeed?

This time Typhoon Kong-rey brought a huge amount of rain. Watching the weather reports about severe flooding in the central and southern regions was really worrying. Would aquaculture farmers along the coast of Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan, after days of continuous heavy rain, once again face a scene of "fish and shrimp floating on the water, passersby scooping them up on the road"? Rather than just worry, why not turn worry into action and go see the site directly! I contacted the third-generation class and set off.

Heading north the whole way, in Tainan and Chiayi many second-crop rice seedlings had become aquatic plants. When I reached Cheng Long Wetland, I found the flooding was not as bad as I had imagined. But fishermen do not wait until the rain reaches their pant cuffs before getting anxious. Just watching the water level in the distant main drainage canal keep rising, the heaviness in their hearts was as if the water had already reached their mouths and noses.