Invasive Water Hyacinths Flood Taiwan's Beimen Lagoon, Threatening Oyster Growth

Heavy rains have caused a massive influx of water hyacinths into Taiwan's Beimen Lagoon, creating a significant threat to the local oyster farming industry. The invasive plants are accumulating on oyster rafts, potentially suffocating the young oysters.

Oyster farmers in the Beimen area, particularly in Luzhugou, discovered the extensive coverage of water hyacinths on June 10. They reported that this is an unprecedented amount of the invasive species entering the lagoon. The plants are primarily concentrated in the southern waters of the lagoon, near the outlets of the Jiangjun and Beimen rivers.

"If the water hyacinths are not removed, they will cover the oyster rafts and subsequently affect the growth of newly stocked oysters, causing them to suffocate," stated Qiu Yongren, chairman of the Luzhugou Agricultural and Fishery Industry Culture Sustainable Development Association. The farmers are concerned that the plants will hinder oyster development and impede the movement of their rafts.

Beimen Lagoon is a crucial oyster farming region in Tainan, known for its high-quality oysters cultivated in the "inner sea." Local authorities have been notified and are coordinating with the Tainan City Water Resources Bureau to expedite the removal of the water hyacinths.

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If the water hyacinths are not removed, they will cover the oyster rafts and subsequently affect the growth of newly stocked oysters, causing them to suffocate.