Long 2 Meters! Strange Large Fish Found in Huangyan Changtan Reservoir, Experts Say After Confirmation

On March 24th, a strange large fish measuring approximately 2 meters was found inside the net enclosure of the Huangyan Changtan Reservoir's reservoir area.

Local residents, after contacting the Changtan Reservoir Administration, were joined by staff from the Huangyan Fishery Bureau, the District Aquatic Product Bureau, and experts on the scene. Experts preliminarily confirmed that it was a Hungan Sturgeon, an invasive species, and it was highly likely that it was released by humans.

Hungan Sturgeons are carnivorous fish that occupy the top of the aquatic food chain, primarily feeding on small fish and shrimp. If a stable local aquatic ecosystem is infiltrated by invasive species, due to the lack of a first-level predator to control them, it is very likely to cause ecological imbalance. When the population exceeds the ecosystem's carrying capacity, other omnivorous fish such as carp and are likely to decrease dramatically, while carnivorous fish that lack food will also die of starvation in the short term, ultimately causing ecological chaos.

Huangyan District Fishery Bureau annual breeding and release photos

The release of aquatic animals is related to the protection of diverse species and the safety of the aquatic ecosystem. Although releasing aquatic animals is not prohibited, it must be based on the basic principles of complying with laws, respecting life, and protecting the ecological environment. As early as 2009, the Ministry of Agriculture issued the ‘Regulations on the Management of the Propagation and Release of Aquatic Animals’, which made specific provisions for the release and breeding of aquatic animals, strictly prohibiting the release of invasive species.