'0.01% Rarity'... Chuncheon Abuzz Over Discovery of Golden Eel, Symbol of Wealth and Prosperity

Only 1 or 2 Appear Among Tens of Thousands of Eels
Measuring 50cm in Length and Weighing Up to 600g
Transferred to Inland Fisheries Resource Center for Educational Use

A golden eel, which appears only once or twice among tens of thousands of eels, has been caught in Soyang Lake in Chuncheon, drawing significant attention. Industry insiders are especially hopeful, considering the golden eel a sign of good fortune and anticipating a bountiful fishing season. On September 27, Kangwon Ilbo reported that a fisherman discovered the 'golden eel' while working in the midstream area of the Soyang River Dam in Chuncheon. This eel measures 50 centimeters in length and weighs between 500 and 600 grams, making it one of the larger freshwater eels.

Linda. Marble eels usually have black spots on a white background, but the one caught this time showed a golden color, making it even rarer. Kangwon Ilbo

This eel is of the Anguilla japonica species, and unlike ordinary individuals, it exhibits a pigment mutation, earning it the nickname 'marble eel.' While marble eels typically have black spots on a white background, the one caught this time displayed a golden color, making it even rarer. Above all, the Soyang Lake fishing community regards the capture of this golden eel as an auspicious sign and is hoping for a prosperous fishing season.

Kang Hyunkook, general manager of the Chuncheon Soyang Lake Fishing Association, said in an interview with Kangwon Ilbo, "In over 20 years of fishing in places like Yanggu and Inje, I have never seen an eel like this before," adding, "I hope that catching this golden eel will bring good luck and lead to a bountiful autumn catch." Choi Jaeseok, head of the Fish Research Center at the Kangwon National University Environmental Research Institute, explained, "Typically, marble eels lack melanin pigment entirely, resulting in a white appearance, but in the case of the golden eel, some melanin remains, which is a distinguishing feature." He further noted, "A golden eel appears only once or twice among tens of thousands, making it an extremely rare occurrence." The golden eel caught this time has been transferred to a tank at the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Inland Water Resources Center in Chuncheon, where it will be used as educational material in the future.

Earlier this year, in July, a golden eel was also caught in Jindo, South Jeolla Province, attracting public interest. Additionally, in October 2021, a golden eel was caught in the Han River in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. At that time, the fishermen of Hangju, who caught the golden eel, initially planned to preserve and display the golden eel, which symbolizes wealth and prosperity, for citizens. However, they ultimately decided to release it, hoping that the auspicious energy would spread to even more people.

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