Gokseong-gun, Giant Apple Snails for Weeding... Beneficial if Used Properly, Harmful if Not

Proper Management of the Two Faces of Wangureongi: Eco-Friendliness and Ecosystem Disruption

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] On the 7th, Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that it held a focused collection field demonstration meeting on the 6th at Seungbeop Village, Ogok-myeon, to prevent the disruption of the natural ecosystem caused by the apple snail.

Since the early 1990s, South Korea has used apple snails in rice cultivation for eco-friendly weed control. However, due to global warming, apple snails have started to overwinter, flowing into lakes and rivers and adversely affecting the native snail ecosystem.

Accordingly, the county organized this demonstration meeting to fundamentally resolve the ecological damage caused by apple snails. The meeting was attended by 35 people, including representatives from each village complex and related officials, and proceeded with presentations on the current damage status caused by apple snails, comprehensive management measures, and demonstrations of control and management techniques.

To prevent damage from apple snails, it is necessary to control them with registered pesticides in surrounding agricultural waterways before rice planting, and to manage the population by installing blocking nets and trapping cages in irrigation and drainage channels to collect the snails.

Additionally, during the rice harvest season, apple snails should be lured into ponds and removed, and deep plowing in winter is required to prevent their overwintering.

The official from the Agricultural Policy Division emphasized, “Effective use of the apple snail farming method requires management as much as usage. It is necessary to install blocking nets in water channels and collect snails after the rainy season or rice harvest to prevent overwintering.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.