Expensive 'Hwangbok' Pufferfish, Will It Return to the Vanished Nakdong River Estuary?

Busan Fisheries Resources Research Institute Releases 100,000 Juvenile Yellow Pufferfish into Nakdong River Estuary
Once a High-Value Species Priced at 100,000 KRW per kg... Disappeared Due to Environmental Changes Like Estuary Barrages

Young yellow pufferfish raised for 40 days.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The tiger pufferfish, a species that once brought considerable income to fishermen but has now disappeared from the Nakdong River, will have 100,000 individuals released along the coastal area of the Nakdong River estuary in Busan to restore fishery resources.

The Busan Fisheries Resources Research Institute announced on the 21st that it will release 100,000 tiger pufferfish, produced in-house, into the coastal area of the Nakdong River estuary in Busan on the 22nd and 28th.

The Fisheries Resources Research Institute began experimental research in 2018 to restore the tiger pufferfish population that inhabits the coastal area moving between the Nakdong River and the sea, successfully producing its own seed stock.

This year, they plan to contribute to the recovery of coastal fishery resources by releasing 100,000 healthy tiger pufferfish, mass-produced, into the Nakdong River estuary coastal area.

The juvenile tiger pufferfish to be released this time hatched at the institute at the end of May and have grown for about 70 days to a size of over 5 cm. In the sea, they can grow up to 45 cm.

The tiger pufferfish adapts well to salinity and migrates upstream to the river in April and May, spawning on gravel-covered riverbeds, which is why they are mainly caught in river estuaries during the spawning season.

In particular, the tiger pufferfish is a high-protein, low-fat, low-calorie food rich in various minerals and vitamins. It is known to prevent blood clots and aging, and has cancer prevention and treatment effects. It is also effective for hangover relief and liver detoxification and is recommended as a dietary therapy for people suffering from obesity, diabetes, and liver diseases.

The tiger pufferfish is the most expensive species among pufferfish. In the past, it was sold for over 100,000 won per kilogram, significantly contributing to fishermen’s income. However, due to environmental changes in the Nakdong River and the construction of estuary dams, it now only survives in the Imjin River estuary and has disappeared from the Nakdong River.

Kang Hyo-geun, director of the Busan Fisheries Resources Research Institute, said, “Through various experimental studies, we will independently produce high value-added fish species that have disappeared from the Busan coastal area and release healthy juvenile fish to work towards the recovery of depleted coastal resources.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.