[Josh]

Vigor, thank you for skyping me and bringing my attention to this catastrophy. Being a farmer myself, my heart goes out to those people who lost everything. Good luck with your efforts to raise money.

[Bigwellpearls]

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen,
Yesterday I interviewed Mr. Chen Shun, director of the Ocean & Fishery Bureau of Xuwen County, in order to make sure that how Guangdong Provincial Government will exercise economic support for the stricken farmers who are engaged with aquaculture. The dialogue between Mr. Chen and me is as follows:
Vigor: Mr. Chen, could you please tell me about what actions the Provincial government and the county government shall take to help the poor farmers out?
Mr.Chen: Sure, the Provincial Government has ordered the Finance Department to withdraw ¥100,000 (US$13,297) to comfort major farmers.
Vigor: Why did the provincial government appropriate so less money?
Mr.Chen: A superior told me that the money was just a sympathetic comfort to the stricken farmers. We have decided to suspend charging waters-use fee ¥4,500(US$598) per hectare /year from farmers for a year. The government also encourages the local Rural Credit Union to offer loans at low interests to the farmers.
Vigor: Thank you for your information, Mr. Chen.
Mr. Chen: It is my pleasure. Thank you for your interview.
Mr.Chen Shun’s assistant handed in a copy of report on the loss of aquaculture in western fishing village of Xuwen County caused by Paboo typhoon.
1. Akoya pearl farms 1,591 hectares
2. Shrimp farms 1,887 hectares
3. Mussel farms 180 hectares
4. Raised fish in net cages in waters: 5,300 cages.
5. Sunk fishing boats 39
6. Freshwater tilapia 13 hectares
7. Losses of devastated fishing ports ¥1,400,000 (US$186,170)
8. Losses of abalone ¥2,000,000 (US$265,957)
9. Losses of nets 1800
Kind Regards,
Vigor He

[knotty panda]

I know nothing of the geography of China, but it appears another typhon, only this one Katrina-sized, is on it's way. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20829511/