Secretly Raising Paddlefish in the Mountains, Road to Riches 20160615

[Road to Riches] Secretly Raising Paddlefish in the Mountains 20160615

Road to Riches: Secretly Raising Paddlefish in the Mountains (2016.6.15)

He raised a kind of fish that many local people had never seen, drawing constant cries of amazement. His fish-farming methods drew heavy skepticism. He left his family behind and hid away deep in the mountains -- what was really going on, and what business opportunity had he actually discovered in this fish that many local people had never seen?

This is the Fengting Lake Reservoir. When the reporter came to this reservoir to interview Fu Wei, it happened to coincide with him organizing tourists to visit his cage fish-farming base.

Fu Wei: Wait a moment. When we go over to the base, don't wander off, and pay attention to safety.

Fu Wei told the reporter that many people had never seen the fish he was raising here. To promote these fish of his, Fu Wei often held activities at the farming base.

Fu Wei: So do you want to take a look? Then let's all take a look together, all right?

Tourist: Okay.

Fu Wei: All right, we're pulling up the net now.

As soon as these fish surfaced, the scene erupted in cries of amazement.

Tourist: I see it, I see it, over there, such a big one.

Fu Wei: Have you ever seen such a strange fish?

Tourist: No, first time.

Tourist: Wow, this is fun.

The appearance of this fish aroused everyone's curiosity and speculation.

Tourist: Like a shark.

Reporter: Like what?

Tourist: A shark.

Tourist: Like a duck.

Tourist: Its mouth is so pointy, completely different from other fish.

The fish Fu Wei raises is called paddlefish (Polyodon spathula). Because it has a long snout, people also call it the duck-bill fish. Not only does it look strange, it is also a very ancient species, from the same era as the dinosaurs, surviving on Earth for more than 200 million years.

Today, Fu Wei organized a contest at his fish-farming base at the reservoir: whoever catches the biggest fish within 10 minutes can take the paddlefish they catch home for free.

Fu Wei: Are you ready?

Fu Wei: 1, 2, 3, go.

Tourist: Come here, come here, come here.