Native Fish Threatened as Red-Eared Turtles and Invasive Crayfish Captured in Suwon Streams

Suwon Special City (Mayor Lee Jae-jun) held an "Ecosystem Disruption Capture Day" on the 7th at a section from Yeocheon Dasseulgi Box in Yeongtong-gu to Yeocheon Bridge 3, conducting capture activities for red-eared turtles and river crayfish.

Red-eared turtles and river crayfish are classified as ecosystem-disrupting organisms designated by the Ministry of Environment. These organisms consume native fish and amphibians, and compete with indigenous turtle species for food and habitats, affecting stream ecosystems.

The event was attended by around 30 representatives from Suwon City, the Suwon Urban Foundation, the Suwon Environmental Education Network, and the Suwon River Basin Network, who engaged in ecosystem disruption species capture, stream cleanup, and promotion campaigns against illegal release.

Participants focused on intensively capturing red-eared turtles and river crayfish, representative ecosystem-disrupting species, around rocks and waterside areas, and conducted environmental cleanup activities around streams as well as launched campaigns targeting residents against the illegal release of ecosystem-disrupting species.

A Suwon City official stated, "It was significant to carry out capture activities that were previously led only by the government together with citizens," and added, "We will work together with citizens to create a healthy stream ecosystem so that a culture of not releasing ecosystem-disrupting species without cause spreads."