Goryeong-gun Releases Young Freshwater Snails as River Cleaners

120,000 Young Dasulgi Released to Enhance Inland Water Resources

On the 20th, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, released 120,000 juvenile freshwater snails at Hoecheon in Daepyeong-ri, Unsu-myeon, a tributary of the Nakdong River, with the participation of Gyeongbuk Provincial Council member (Councilor Noh Seonghwan), the Freshwater Fish Research Center, and residents of Daepyeong-ri, Unsu-myeon.

On the 20th, Goryeong-gun released 120,000 young freshwater snails in Hoicheon, Daepyeong-ri, Unsu-myeon.

This event was held as part of the ‘2023 Juvenile Freshwater Snail Release Event’ by the Freshwater Fish Research Center of the Gyeongbuk Fisheries Resources Research Institute to enhance inland water resources and restore river ecosystems. Freshwater snails were released not only in the streams of Daepyeong-ri, Unsu-myeon but also along the Hoecheon riverside in Daegaya-eup, Ugok-myeon, and Ssangnim-myeon.

Freshwater snails inhabit flowing streams and primarily feed on organic matter, carcasses, and algae deposited on the riverbed, playing a significant role in water purification, which is why they are called the ‘cleaners of the river.’

They are also popular as a health food, and demand for freshwater snails continues to increase; however, due to indiscriminate overfishing, their population has been steadily declining.

In response, Goryeong-gun receives juvenile freshwater snails annually from the Freshwater Fish Research Center of the Gyeongbuk Fisheries Resources Research Institute and releases them into the Hoecheon stream of the Nakdong River to enhance inland water resources.

County Governor Lee Namcheol stated, “Through the release of freshwater snails, we will work to enhance inland water resources and create a clean river ecosystem. We will also strive to restore fishery resources by continuously releasing not only freshwater snails but also native freshwater fish.”

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