The Freshwater Fish Research Center of the South Gyeongsang Province Fisheries Resources Research Institute has released juvenile mandarin fish, a native species, to restore inland water fisheries resources and boost fishers' income.
The center said it released 12,000 juvenile mandarin fish into the Miryang River area on Sunday, following an earlier release into Hapcheon Lake on Saturday. About 10 people attended the Sunday release event at the Miryang River, including center staff, inland water fishers from Miryang and city officials.
The mandarin fish released this time were high-quality specimens measuring more than 3 centimeters in length, healthy juveniles that had passed epidemic disease testing at the South Gyeongsang Province Fisheries Safety Technology Institute.
Mandarin fish inhabit clean waters and rivers rich in gravel and stones. Prized for their taste, they are known as "sudon" (water pig) and are popular in spicy fish stew and as sashimi. In China, they were called "cheonjaeo" (Son of Heaven fish), and records passed down tell that they were presented to the emperor, reflecting the high value they have held since ancient times.
The mandarin fish is a representative carnivorous freshwater fish that plays an important role in maintaining the river food chain. It is also expected to help suppress invasive species such as bass and bluegill and restore ecosystem balance.
The center has researched mandarin fish farming methods and breeding techniques from 2022 to 2024. From 2024 to the present, it has produced and released a total of 47,000 fish, working to boost inland water fishers' income and eradicate invasive species.
"Going forward, through stable production and release of native species such as mandarin fish, we will create a healthy river ecosystem and contribute to boosting inland water fishers' income and restoring regional fisheries resources," said Kim Jae-ho, head of the Freshwater Fish Research Center.
