Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province witnessed the commencement of its three-month-long winter fishing season as fishermen pulled thousands of fish from a mile-long fish seine on Wednesday. The activity, taking place on Lianhuan Lake in the Mongolian autonomous county of Dorbod, marked the initiation of the harvesting season for ice fishing lakes in the country’s northernmost province.
Local fishermen, chiseling away at the ice to expose water surfaces, strategically selected areas believed to host large shoals of fish. The first catch of the season included a rich variety of fish, including bighead, carp, and crucian, with the largest single net weighing around 150,000 kg, as reported by veteran fisherman Jin Feng.
The ice fishing tradition in Dorbod spans over 1,000 years, and in recent times, the picturesque scene has attracted anglers and tourists, transforming the remote location into a popular tourist attraction. Tourists can not only experience the unique fishing and hunting culture but also enjoy ice sports and savour freshly made fish dishes with local flavours.
The winter fishing season is set to continue until the end of March next year, with 18 counties in nine cities in Heilongjiang planning more than 20 fishing-themed activities, according to Sun Wenzhi, an official from the provincial department of agriculture and rural affairs.
Heilongjiang, with its abundant freshwater resources, has been actively developing the fisheries sector. In 2022, the province cultivated 6.4 million mu (approximately 426,667 hectares) of aquaculture, producing 735,000 tonnes of aquatic products annually.
Despite freezing temperatures reaching minus 20 degrees Celsius, harvested fish are quickly frozen and transported to major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai through cold chain logistics. Zhang Jingfeng, a fish store owner in Fuyuan city, noted that customers receive the fish within two or three days, and sales are brisk.
Zheng Xianhu, deputy director of the Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, highlighted the establishment of a freshwater aquatic germplasm resource bank, preserving 106 varieties of species. The institute’s innovation includes the cultivation of a boneless crucian carp, reducing the risk of fishbones sticking in diners’ throats and presenting significant economic opportunities.
Wang Zhaocheng, director of provincial agriculture and rural affairs, affirmed the province’s commitment to promoting industrial integration and technological innovation for the continued development of ecological fishery.
