Chenglong Wetland salt-selected hard clam farming does not pump groundwater; delicious and helps alleviate land subsidence
Text / Guanshu Education Foundation
Chenglong Wetland, located in Kouhu Township, Yunlin County, is a wetland formed by land subsidence and seawater intrusion. Entrusted by the Forestry Bureau, the Guanshu Education Foundation moved into Chenglong Village to try to reawaken the villagers' and children's memories of and connection to the land, and to solve environmental problems through action. Since 2013 (the 102nd year of the Republic of China calendar), the foundation has been experimenting with aquaculture that does not pump groundwater. The hard clams (Meretrix lusoria) about to be harvested were stocked last April, and after nearly ten months of hard work, the hope is that through consumer support, villagers will build confidence in a production method that does not pump groundwater and is friendly to the environment, which in turn can encourage more villagers to raise high-quality seafood that takes into account both consumer health and taste, while freeing local residents from worrying about their livelihood and land subsidence.
Wang Chao-mei, chief operating officer of the Guanshu Education Foundation, said, "Because the experimental fish pond does not pump groundwater, it is roughly farmed with seawater at a salinity of 2.5 to 3 degrees. This salinity is the salinity that nature has blended for Chenglong Village by mixing seawater with the water of Niutiaowan Creek. Although the hard clams may grow more slowly, their flesh tastes springier and sweeter, and will leave everyone unable to stop even after 'eating three jin'!" This time the foundation has launched a group-buying scheme, ten jin at a time, which is just right for about 2-3 small households as a week's food supply, and can also save on shipping.
Sea asparagus helps purify water; the experimental fish pond can operate steadily
The Guanshu Education Foundation plans to hold a briefing session in the village after this harvest, hoping to successfully persuade 1-2 villagers to join in research on not pumping groundwater this year. If the number of samples can be increased, the feasibility of this method can be verified sooner and it can be promoted!
Besides the stability of the farming process, what producers worry about most is the sales channel. The Guanshu Education Foundation calls on the public:
"Use the power of purchasing so that producers have no worries about their livelihood and can safely adopt ways of production that treat the land kindly and protect Taiwan's water and soil; on the other hand, consumers can also ensure they eat healthy, safe and delicious ingredients, and indirectly put ecological and environmental conservation into practice! All people and living things benefit!"
Members of the public who wish to buy "groundwater-free salt-selected hard clams" should go to the "Chenglong Wetland Three Generations Class" blog to fill in the pre-order form, or call 05-7970856.
Guanshu Education Foundation 05-7970856 [email protected]
"Chenglong Wetland Three Generations Class" blog http://wetlandcenter.blogspot.tw/