Releasing, as its name implies, is to put aquatic creatures into water, like sea, river and lake. It is known as one of the most effective ways to breed and protect aquatic seeds. From 1983, fish releasing has been hold once a year in Nanhai. In the past 40 years, biological resources and aquatic ecological environment have been remarkably improved.

Since 2020, 3.475 million fish have been released in Jiujiang Town. This year, 1.2 billion fish in multiple species have been put into river, including Black Carp, Mud Carp, Bamboo Carp, Grass carp, Bighead Carp and Red-eye Fish. 

Jiujiang, crown as “the hometown of freshwater fish in China”, started developing aquatic seeding industry over 520 years ago. With profound industrial base and aquaculture, it is taking the lead in Guangdong and even across China. Last month, the custom of Jiujiang fish seeding production has been listed as provincial intangible cultural heritage. 

Jiujiang Town is home to ponds of 22.67 square kilometers and over 20 aquatic products. In 2021, the output of the whole town totals 129,000 tons, a value of over 3.3 billion yuan. Annually, more than 30 species, summing up 100 billion fish are bred, topping 1 billion yuan of output value.

Nanhai freshwater Seed Vault, co-found by Jiujiang Government, Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute and Foshan Hengxing Aquatic Seeding Industry Development Co., Ltd., aspires to be the largest one housing most biological resources in Jiujiang. In the following 5 years, it aims to collect 20-30 species and 20 kinds of fish eggs native to Jiujiang.

Author | Ivy