Siberian sturgeon introduced and trial-cultured successfully in Dahua, Guangxi

    In the Guhe section of the Hongshui River in Dahua Yao Autonomous County, the newly added cage sturgeon farming zones on the rippling blue water have become a beautiful sight of the new rural construction. Qin Liucui, deputy secretary of the Guhe Township government, beamed with joy as she introduced: "Last October, the county animal husbandry and aquaculture bureau introduced 50,000 Siberian sturgeon fry and released them here for trial culture. Because the water quality here is excellent and the water temperature is suitable, the sturgeon survival rate reached 85%. After only 8 months of careful rearing, many have now grown into marketable fish of about 2 kg.  If they are put on the market at the end of October, the estimated annual output value will reach more than 400,000 jin. We have once again successfully found a good way to help farmers increase their incomes." 

    Large-scale sturgeon farming is an emerging industry in our country. Last year, in order to adjust and optimize the fishery industry structure and enrich the variety and quantity of aquatic products, the Dahua County Animal Husbandry and Aquaculture Bureau, based on its own duties and through strenuous research, and with the active cooperation of the Guhe Township government, attracted Hubei Jingben Fishery Company through investment promotion to invest more than 1.3 million yuan here to develop cage sturgeon farming. The current growth condition is good, and wholesale markets from Nanning, Guangdong, Vietnam, and other cities have already come to place orders. The wholesale price is as high as 60 yuan per kg, and demand in the market exceeds supply. 

    Wei Jingliao, director of the Dahua Animal Husbandry and Aquaculture Bureau, introduced that sturgeon is a low-fat, high-protein meat, with tender flesh and a delicious taste, and has health benefits such as anti-cancer and immune-strengthening effects. Therefore, it is deeply favored by consumers. Even before it reaches the market, it has attracted the attention of many hotels, restaurants, and distributors, and its market prospects are broad. The successful trial culture of Siberian sturgeon in the Hongshui River in Dahua has filled the gap in large-scale sturgeon farming in our city, and at the same time has laid the foundation for Dahua County to develop and utilize cold and cool water resources, accelerate the adjustment of the fishery industry structure, promote fishery economic growth, and increase farmers' incomes. The Hongshui River basin in Dahua has a large water surface, good water quality, and rich freshwater resources, and there are still more than 50,000 mu of "living water" available for cage fishery development. Based on the price advantage of Siberian sturgeon, through this successful trial and demonstration and promotion, and relying on water area resources, in the next two years, Dahua will vigorously develop this special aquatic product and achieve a win-win for ecology and the economy.