Beodul-chi (Korean minnow). [North Gyeongsang Province]
Beodul-chi (Korean minnow). [North Gyeongsang Province]

The Native Fish Industrialization Center under the North Gyeongsang Province Fisheries Resources Research Institute has sold 800,000 high-quality beodul-chi (Korean minnow) seedlings to fish farmers, the provincial government announced Tuesday.

The fish distributed in this round will grow to a marketable size of 8 to 10 centimeters after an additional four to six months of rearing.

Beodul-chi are prized among freshwater fish enthusiasts for their soft bones, which allow the fish to be eaten whole, and their tender flesh, which lends itself to a variety of dishes including soups, braised preparations and fried dishes.

The species commands a high market value, trading at 25,000 to 35,000 won ($25) per kilogram.

The center began trial research on beodul-chi seed production in 2021 and has since released 780,000 fish into natural waterways and distributed about 1.52 million through paid sales. It has also established a mass-production system capable of yielding more than 500,000 fish annually.

Nam Geon, director of the North Gyeongsang Province Marine Affairs and Fisheries Bureau, said the province would actively support inland fishery operators by building out the mass-production system. "We will accelerate the industrialization of inland aquaculture by expanding a stable farming base and supply system through ongoing education and technology dissemination," he said.


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