Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp

Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp

Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp is a product with geographical indication.

　　The origins of Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp are not documented in writing. According to local fishermen, the tradition of farming Bighead Carp in Shayang Changhu dates back to the Ming Dynasty. This freshwater fish is a local specialty of Changhu Lake, and fish enthusiasts love to visit the lakeside to try the famous “Three Delicacies of Bighead Carp,” especially the carp head, which never fails to delight. The Jingmen Annals provide detailed records. Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp has a laterally compressed, slightly tall body, a round and broad snout, moderate plumpness, and a deep black body color. Its scales are tightly packed, and the head is relatively large, accounting for about one-third of the body length. The flesh is white, tender, smooth in texture, and delicious in flavor, with the carp head being particularly tasty. In recent years, Shayang County has vigorously supported the development of the Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp industry. The county government has invested substantial funds to establish a national-level Changhu Wetland Reserve, focusing on the protection of the lake’s ecological resources. Key support has been given to a number of aquatic product processing enterprises, including the Changhu Famous Fish Farm, Xinnong Aquatic Cooperative, and Xinsun Aquatic Cooperative. The county has also obtained pollution-free origin and product certifications for Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp. Over 30 sales outlets for Changhu aquatic products have been set up across the country, forming a preliminary industrial chain that integrates breeding, fishing, processing, and sales. In recent years, the farming area of Changhu Bighead Carp has remained stable at over 9,000 mu, with an annual output exceeding 10,000 tons. The external sales rate of the product is over 90%, generating annual sales revenue of 120 million yuan. Thanks to its natural farming methods, superior quality, and delicious taste, it has gained widespread popularity among consumers. Currently, the average price of Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp is 50% higher than it was five years ago, and its export price is 10% higher than the Hubei provincial average, yet demand still outstrips supply. The industry has also driven the development of tourism, aquatic product processing, and logistics.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Shayang Changhu is located within Shayang County, Jingmen City, Hubei Province, covering a total area of 7,800 hectares. Its boundaries are between 112°19′ to 112°31′ east longitude and 30°25′ to 30°31′ north latitude (with the Changhu embankment as the boundary, bordering Hu Die Village of Mao Li Town to the east, the boundary line between Shayang and Jingzhou to the south, Jingzhou City to the west, and Hougang Town to the north). It includes 25 villages across Mao Li and Hougang towns — 12 villages in Mao Li Town (Hu Die Village, Yaochang Village, Yingxiong Village, Gaoyan Village, Yewan Village, Changhu Village, Lichang Village, Zhongqiao Village, Zhongxin Village, Maoli Village, Fengling Village, Ludian Village) and 13 villages in Hougang Town (Gangkou Village, Tiebian Village, Qinglong Village, Zhangchang Village, Damiao Village, Tuzui Village, Donghu Village, Fengjing Village, Zaohu Village, Huangxie Village, Liowan Village, Jingnan Village, Xiaochang Village). The total farming area of Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp is 6,000 hectares, with an output of 10,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Quality Features of Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp: The fish has a laterally compressed, slightly tall body, a round and broad snout, moderate plumpness, and a deep black body color. Its scales are tightly packed, and the head is relatively large, accounting for about one-third of the body length. The flesh is white, tender, smooth in texture, and delicious in flavor, with the carp head being particularly tasty. 2. Quality and Safety Standards: ①Origin Environment: Water quality should meet the standards outlined in the NY5051-2001 industry standard issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, titled “Water Quality Standards for Pollution-Free Freshwater Aquaculture.” The farming bases must be free from pollution sources such as industrial “three wastes,” agricultural waste, medical institution sewage and waste, urban garbage, and domestic sewage. ②Mandatory Technical Specifications: Strengthen fingerling management. First, fingerlings must be purchased uniformly, undergo strict quarantine by inspection stations, and their origin must be investigated to ensure traceability and quality assurance. Second, before stocking, the integrity of net enclosures must be rigorously checked and confirmed to be intact before releasing fish. Third, fingerlings must be uniform in size (300g–500g per fish), healthy, disease-free, and undamaged, and stocked all at once. Strengthen farming process management. First, establish a Shayang Changhu Bighead Carp Geographical Indication Product Leadership Team and Technical Team to guide, monitor, and supervise key technical aspects of production, address new issues, develop technical protocols, clarify responsibilities. Second, implement a training system. The Aquatic Technology Extension Station and Inspection Station combine centralized lectures with on-site guidance, holding four training sessions annually and providing on-site guidance during critical growth periods. Provincial and municipal experts are invited to conduct training and on-site guidance on pollution-free aquatic product production techniques to ensure implementation. Third, collaborate with Xinnong and Xinsun Cooperatives to develop standardized production procedures and quality supervision agreements, assigning responsibilities to individuals and signing pollution-free farming responsibility contracts with farmers. Fourth, provide fishermen with tracking services, on-site guidance, and demonstration, while conducting random checks, inspections, and regular or irregular monitoring of fish farmers around the lake. Fifth, establish a strict management system with dedicated personnel, enforce a rigorous lake patrol system, promptly address any issues, ensure constant human presence on and around the lake, and maintain a strict shift handover system. Maintain detailed production records and implement the “Five Haves” (professional technical guidance, professional management systems, professional cooperative organizations, farming operation procedures, and sales service networks) and “Five Unifications” (unified farming models, unified fingerling procurement, unified stocking specifications, unified production management, and unified information and sales services) to ensure aquatic product safety. Strictly adhere to the national GB11067 aquaculture water quality standards and NY5051-2001 pollution-free freshwater aquaculture water quality standards. Environmental requirements follow GB/T18407.4-2001 for pollution-free aquatic product origin environments, GB/T19000-2000 quality management systems, with policies visibly posted and strictly enforced. ③Product quality meets pollution-free agricultural product quality standards.