Gapyeong County: "Significant Contribution to Increasing Fishers' Income and Restoring Aquatic Ecosystems"
Gapyeong County announced on December 15 that the "Dam Vicinity Support Project" promoted by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Cheongpyeong Power Plant has greatly contributed to increasing the income of local fishers and restoring the aquatic ecosystem. In particular, the freshwater snail seedling support project has been ongoing for 18 years, establishing itself as a core initiative for ecological restoration in the lower reaches of the Bukhan River.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Cheongpyeong Power Plant, 18 Years of Freshwater Snail Ecological Restoration. Provided by Gapyeong County
According to the county, since 2008, the Cheongpyeong Power Plant has provided freshwater snail seedlings to the Cheongpyeong Fishery Cooperative, with total support funds reaching 494 million won to date. This year as well, 40 million won was invested to release seedlings in the lower dam area of the Bukhan River, contributing to the creation of fishery resources and the restoration of the riverside ecological environment.
A representative of the Cheongpyeong Fishery Cooperative said, "Thanks to continuous support, fishery resources have been restored and the local fishing environment has noticeably improved. The significance lies not only in the support itself but also in the fact that it is a cooperative project carried out together with the local community."
Since 2014, the Cheongpyeong Power Plant has also been steadily implementing a project to replace lead sinkers used for catching freshwater snails with eco-friendly stainless steel sinkers, in order to expand the foundation for environmentally friendly fishing. Over the 12 years of this project, which will continue through 2025, a total of 132 million won has been provided so far. By establishing a system to replace lead sinkers, the plant has reduced factors causing water pollution and laid the groundwork for a sustainable fishing environment.
A representative of the Cheongpyeong Power Plant stated, "In order to become a power plant that grows together with the local community, we will continue our efforts to preserve the ecological environment and support fishers."
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