Cua Lo residents rush to pick up 'sea blessings' after heavy rain

Along Cua Lo beach this morning, there were many people picking up "sea blessings" washed ashore by the waves. Photo: CSCC

Accordingly, along the coast fromNghi Huong wardAlong Thu Thuy ward (about 3km), tons of seashells washed ashore, covering the beach in a thick layer. Many people around took advantage of the sunny weather to bring tools to the sea to collect seashells.

Explaining this phenomenon, local people said that it could be due to heavy rain after storm No. 4, the tide changed, causing a large amount of clams from 5-10 nautical miles offshore to drift ashore. But a large amount of clams, up to tons, drifting ashore like this is the first time people have encountered it.

Clams washed up by the waves form sandbanks right on the shore. People pick out the live, intact ones to eat or sell. Photo: CSCC

Using only a net or a clam rake or simply a basket, after only ten minutes, you can collect hundreds of thousands of sea clams. Some households, from 8am to 10:30am, have collected hundreds of tons of clams to sell to traders, earning millions of dong.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh, a resident of Nghi Huong ward, said: “After the storm and heavy rain, many clams drifted ashore. After the neighbors informed us that clams had drifted ashore, my family of three went along the beach to collect clams. Just this morning, we collected nearly 100kg of clams and sold them to traders at 15,000 VND/kg.”

This is a type of white razor clam, completely natural, rarely caught. Photo: CSCC

From 7am to almost 11am, many people are present on the beach to collect clams, traders are also present to buy and bring them to the markets to sell. Ms. Mai Ha, a seafood trader inHoi Gatesaid: “This morning alone, I bought about 400-500 kg of clams, cleaned the sand, sorted them and had them transported to the local markets in Vinh and Nghi Loc cities to “sell”. This type of clam is quite rare, rarely caught, has high nutritional value, and tastes sweet, so it sells quite well.”

Currently, the amount of clams washed ashore by the waves is still there. People continue to collect them. The town government has also directed localities to advise people to ensure safety when going to the beach to collect clams; at the same time, organize forces to clean up the clams and shells to ensure the marine environment.

Local authorities advise people to ensure safety when collecting clams at sea during bad weather. Photo: CSCC

Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen - Deputy Head of the Economic Department of Cua Lo town said: "White clams are washed ashore by waves completely naturally and this is the third time this phenomenon has occurred this year, but this time the number is larger. A large number of clams washed ashore have died due to strong waves. People take advantage of the opportunity to pick up the live ones to eat and sell. People consider this a "sea blessing" during days of heavy rain and rough seas".