[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] The Gyeongbuk Provincial Fisheries Resources Research Institute's Indigenous Fish Industrialization Center announced on the morning of the 24th that it will release 150,000 juvenile Dongjagae fish for the first time at Andong Dam to increase the income of inland water fishermen.
About 30 people, including local provincial assembly members, the director of the Provincial Marine and Fisheries Bureau, the deputy mayor of Andong, and representatives of fishermen, attended the release event.
The Indigenous Fish Industrialization Center began large-scale experimental production research of juvenile Dongjagae in July and succeeded in producing 200,000 juvenile fish over 4 cm in body length after three months of cultivation. For the first time, 150,000 fish were released into major dams in the province (Andong Dam and Imha Dam) to create fishery resources and increase the income of inland water fishermen.
Gyeongbuk Province plans to establish a large-scale production system (over 500,000 fish) in the future and continuously promote fry release projects. Dongjagae is characterized by a yellow base color with stripes along the back and the middle side of the body.
It is widely used as an ingredient for spicy fish stew (maeuntang) and steamed dishes, and is a high-income premium fish species sold at 45,000 KRW per kg (based on wild-caught fish). Currently, about 40 inland water fishermen at Andongho and Imhaho are engaged in fishing targeting various species such as crucian carp, catfish, and Dongjagae.
However, recently, the catch volume of economically valuable fishery resources has sharply decreased due to the increase of non-profitable species such as nuchi, gangjunchi, and invasive species like bass and bluegill.
The Indigenous Fish Industrialization Center established a mid- to long-term comprehensive plan last year with the goal of ‘Inland Water Industry Innovation Growth 2030!’ and has been promoting the discovery of economically viable new species and the development of seed production technology.
Following the release of 50,000 chammaja fish last year and 120,000 willow fish (beodeulchi) in July this year, the center plans to continuously develop high-income species, including the current juvenile Dongjagae, to create abundant fishery resources.
Lee Young-seok, director of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Marine and Fisheries Bureau, stated, "We will actively strive to conduct experimental production research projects that can produce and release large quantities of fish species directly linked to income for active inland water fishery activities."
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