Peak Oyster Season

[Anchor Lead]

This summer's high water temperatures and devastating typhoons created a lot of worries for fishermen on the south coast. But now that it's become cooler, they're busy harvesting oysters in peak season.

[Pkg]

This oyster farm located in clean waters off Korea's south coast is bustling with activity. Clusters of big, fat oysters are clumped on the ropes pulled up from the sea. An oyster shucking plant is also getting busy. Workers here will not have a moment to rest until next June, when oyster season is over, but they're more glad than tired at seeing such a rich oyster harvest.

[Soundbite] Kim Hwa-mi(Oyster Shucker) : "It's nice I'm working. Even though the pay is small, it's nice that I get to work."

This year's first oyster auction was held. The local price of fresh oysters is set at around 45 dollars per 10 kilograms. The price falls short of last year's level, but it is expected to rise when demand increases around the winter kimchi-making season.

[Soundbite] Choi Jeong-bok(Head of Oyster Co-op) : "The improving marine environment is fattening the oysters. I think oyster prices will gradually reach the previous year's level."

Oysters grown along the south coast accounts for 70% of the country's 40,000-ton oyster production. Oyster farmers in this region are welcoming the oyster harvesting season that came after difficulties including the high water temperatures and typhoons of the summer.