Inje County, Gangwon Province, has successfully achieved its first artificial breeding of local fish, known as the 'dongja-gae' or 'baby fish.' On September 28, the county released 30,000 young fish into Soyang Lake after raising them for about two months.
According to Inje County, the release took place in the area of Sangsu-naeri in Soyang Lake. The county secured adult fish from the lake in July, and after artificial breeding and initial rearing, produced the young fish for release.
The dongja-gae, also referred to as 'pbagasari,' is a native freshwater fish commonly used as an ingredient in spicy fish stew and is considered one of the income-generating species in Soyang Lake's inland fisheries. This achievement is significant as it marks the first time Inje County has produced fish seeds using locally sourced adults.
Since 2023, the county has been gaining experience in fish farming by receiving technology for artificial seed production from the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Inland Water Resources Center. Based on this breeding and release, the county plans to stabilize production technology and gradually increase its scale.
The county also aims to utilize this effort for the conservation of native fish species. It is researching artificial breeding and propagation techniques for freshwater fish that are becoming increasingly rare in the region. However, it remains to be seen how many of the released fish will survive, reproduce, and contribute to an actual increase in catch volume.
Research on seed production will be centered at the Inje County Native Fish Industrialization Center, which is currently under development. A total of 18.1 billion won, including 10.8 billion won in national funding, is being invested in the center. According to the county, the construction is 90% complete, with a goal of completion by December.
Son Mi-jeong, head of the agricultural policy division in Inje County, stated, “We will secure stable mass production technology for the dongja-gae and continue research on artificial breeding and propagation of disappearing native freshwater fish.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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