Changwon City Releases 1 Million Juvenile Mudfish, a Representative Winter Fish Species

On the 11th, Changwon City in Gyeongnam released 1 million juvenile fish of Komchi (Moolmegi), a representative winter seafood, into the waters of Jamdo in Jinhae-gu.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] On the 11th, Changwon City in Gyeongnam released 1 million juvenile Mukmegi (Kkomchi) fish into the waters near Jamdo, Jinhae-gu, a representative winter seafood.

The city explained that the released juveniles were hatched from eggs collected by fishermen in Jinhae-gu.

In the past, Mukmegi was discarded into the sea because of its unattractive appearance. However, it is now consumed as soup or steamed dishes.

Mukmegi is a benthic fish living on the sea or riverbed, inhabiting muddy bottoms at depths of 50 to 80 meters. In winter, it migrates to coastal areas and spawns on seaweed stems in shallow bays from December to February. The eggs form clusters measuring 5 to 15 cm in diameter.

The city is promoting the restoration of marine resources through agreements with fishery autonomous management communities, including collecting Mukmegi eggs and manufacturing and installing marine facilities for hatching fertilized eggs.

Kang Hogwon, head of the Fisheries Division, said, “We will strive to contribute to the restoration of marine resources and increase fishermen’s income by releasing not only the winter species Kkomchi but also various types of juvenile fish,” and added, “We ask for active cooperation from fishermen in prohibiting the capture and collection of juvenile fish.”

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