Gyeonggi-do Marine and Fisheries Resources Institute Releases 10,000 Juvenile Korean Perch into 10 Sites Including Hantangang River

The Gyeonggi-do Marine and Fisheries Resources Research Institute will release 10,000 juvenile Korean perch, which were produced in-house to restore inland fish stocks and preserve biodiversity, free of charge into 10 rivers and streams across the province, including the Imjingang River in Yeoncheon, the Namhangang River in Yeoju, and the Gapyeongcheon Stream in Gapyeong, over two days on June 23 and 25.

The juvenile fish being released this time are healthy stock that have passed aquatic disease inspection standards. They are high-quality individuals produced through artificial fertilization from healthy parent Korean perch during the institute's own "Korean Perch Compound Feed Acclimatization Trial Research."

The release areas include: Gapyeong (Gapyeongcheon Stream), Namyangju (Saneungcheon Stream, Guuncheon Stream), Pocheon (Hantangang River), Yeoncheon (Imjingang River), Yangpyeong (Yanggeuncheon Stream), Yeoju (Namhangang River), Osan (Osancheon Stream), Pyeongtaek (Namhangho Lake), and Ansan and Hwaseong (Tandoho Lake). These are either native habitats of the Korean perch or areas where populations have declined due to habitat degradation, totaling 10 locations.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

The Korean perch is a representative native fish species in Korea, with high ecological value as it inhabits only inland waters with excellent water quality and requires ongoing management. It is also known as the "king of freshwater" due to its texture and taste, making it a major source of income for fishers. The species once faced the risk of extinction due to environmental pollution and indiscriminate overfishing, but has been restored through continuous release of juvenile fish.

Since 2014, the provincial Marine and Fisheries Resources Research Institute has steadily laid the foundation for restoring aquatic resources by simultaneously producing artificial Korean perch stock and developing compound feed acclimatization techniques.

Kim Seonggon, director of the provincial Marine and Fisheries Resources Research Institute, said, "This release is a representative case of returning the results of our trial research to the field," and added, "We will continue our efforts to create inland water resources and increase fishers' income."