Accordingly, in recent days, clam farmers in Ngoc Son ward, Thanh Hoa province have been restless because clams have died en masse. In addition to losing all the household clams, people also have to spend a large amount of money to rent machines to treat dead clams, clean and renovate farms for the new generation.
Mr. Phan Van Toan - a clam farmer in Ngoc Son ward - said that as of August 7, more than 2 hectares of commercial clams at harvest have been lost to his family.
According to the People's Committee of Ngoc Son Ward and households, the phenomenon of scattered dead clams started on July 28 and has lasted until now. Up to now, all 80 hectares of commercial clams of 56 households in the area have died, with a mortality rate of 95% or more, of which many areas have been raised for 2 years, preparing for harvest. The initial estimated damage is over 55 billion VND.
After receiving the information, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Thanh Hoa sent staff to check and collect samples to assess the cause.
A representative of the Thanh Hoa Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine said that the test results of the Institute of Fisheries Breeding Research 1 determined that clams were infected with the parasite Perkinsus olseni. In addition, due to the impact of storm No. 3, fresh water from upstream flowed into the Yen River carrying a large amount of alluvium covering the surface of the clam beach, changing environmental factors, seriously affecting clam health.
Currently, the Thanh Hoa Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine is coordinating with localities to guide people on measures to handle and reduce environmental pollution.
