Gyeongbuk Freshwater Fish Research Center Succeeds in Hatching 30,000 Endangered Korean Golden Trout

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Freshwater Fish Research Center announced on June 2 that it has been working on artificial seed production since 2021 to restore the population of Korean golden trout, whose numbers have been steadily declining. In May of this year, the center succeeded for the first time in mass hatching of juvenile Korean golden trout.

The broodstock used for seed production were individuals collected as fertilized eggs and fry from the Baekcheon Valley in Bonghwa County starting in 2022, which were then raised to maturity. A total of 90,000 eggs were obtained, resulting in the successful hatching of 30,000 fish.

Newly hatched Korean golden trout

With this successful hatching, the research center is now on the verge of mass-producing Korean golden trout fry, and the ongoing management of broodstock has laid the foundation for large-scale seed production in the future.

The Korean golden trout (family Salmonidae), classified as a Class II endangered wild animal, inhabits the uppermost reaches of clear and cold mountain streams, symbolizing pristine environments. The Baekcheon Valley habitat in Bonghwa County has been designated as Natural Monument No. 74.

The Korean golden trout fry hatched this time will grow in optimal conditions until autumn and are scheduled to return to their native Baekcheon Valley in November, when water temperatures drop.

Jung Sangwon, Director of Oceans and Fisheries for Gyeongbuk Province, stated, "The Korean golden trout is a representative species symbolizing the pristine nature of Gyeongbuk. We will continue our efforts to maintain its population, secure biodiversity, and utilize it as a resource for ecological tourism."

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