Danjiangkou Zuihou (Mandarin Fish)

Danjiangkou Zuihou (Mandarin Fish)

Danjiangkou Zuihou is a protected geographical indication product.

Danjiangkou Zuihou is a certified geographical indication trademark.

　　Danjiangkou Zuihou is originally an indigenous fish species of the Yangtze River and Han River. Due to the construction of the Danjiangkou Dam, it has thrived in a specific environment (water quality, temperature, acidity, and light), becoming a regionally distinctive product. It features an upturned mouth, a 10–15 mm red stripe under the eyes, bulging back muscles, a bluish-gray back, a silvery-white belly, 79–83 lateral line scales, non-adhesive eggs, late sexual maturity (females at 3–4 years, males at 2.5–3 years), large size, and delicious, tender meat (with 1% higher protein content and 0.5% higher amino acid content compared to Taihu Mandarin Fish).

　　Mandarin fish are high-quality freshwater fish that thrive in large bodies of clean water with gentle currents and abundant bait organisms. Depending on the species, their sizes vary greatly—the largest Zuihou can grow over 10 kg, while the Mongolian Mandarin Fish only reaches about 1 kg. Mandarin fish swim swiftly and are aggressive and voracious predators, typical of fierce carnivorous fish. Among the mandarin fish species in the Danjiangkou Reservoir, the Zuihou boasts the highest growth numbers and economic benefits.

　　Zuihou belongs to the order Cypriniformes, family Cyprinidae, subfamily Cultrinae, and genus Culter. Common names include Big White Fish and Upturned Mouth. The fish is about 70% white in color, elongated and laterally compressed, with an upper mouth, large size, fast growth, and can reach over 15 kg at maximum. Common wild individuals weigh 1–10 kg, reach 0.6–1 kg in one year, and 2–3 kg in two years. Female fish grow significantly faster than males. Feeding comparison experiments show that Zuihou from the Danjiangkou Reservoir grow much faster than those from other areas of the Yangtze River basin. In terms of reproductive traits, the eggs of Danjiangkou Zuihou are non-adhesive and float in water during natural spawning in the reservoir’s large open waters. The fish has delicate, delicious meat with extremely high nutritional value. Tests show it has very high protein content and is rich in various amino acids needed by the human body; it also contains abundant minerals and vitamins, including Ca 575 mg/kg, P 22.50 mg/kg, Fe 5.6 mg/kg, Vitamin A 0.079 mg/kg, and Vitamin C up to 10.2 mg/kg.

　　Geographical Indication Product

　　In 2007, the Danjiangkou Municipal Party Committee and Government applied for the protection of the Mandarin Fish as a geographical indication product.

　　In August 2007, after preliminary review by the provincial quality inspection bureau, it was recommended to the national quality inspection bureau.

　　In August 2008, the national quality inspection bureau organized an expert panel to hear the presentation report on the protection of the “Danjiangkou Zuihou” geographical indication product by the Danjiangkou Municipal Party Committee and Government. They concluded that “Danjiangkou Zuihou” has distinct characteristics, excellent quality, high reputation, and is highly favored by domestic and international customers. Its price is more than 50% higher than similar products, making it a premium among freshwater products, and it should be included in the geographical indication product protection directory.

　　In December 2008, the National Quality Supervision Bureau approved the implementation of geographical indication product protection for Danjiangkou Zuihou with Announcement No. 132 of 2008. After more than a year of application, evaluation, and review, Danjiangkou Zuihou was finally included in the national list of geographical indication protected products.

　　The protected geographical area for Danjiangkou Zuihou is defined by the scope proposed in the letter “On Defining the Protected Geographical Area of ‘Danjiangkou Zuihou’” (Dan Zheng Han [2007] No. 51) issued by the Danjiangkou Municipal People’s Government of Hubei Province. This includes the current administrative regions of 17 towns and subdistricts under Danjiangkou City: Tutai Township, Junxian Town, Xijiadian Town, Liangshuihe Town, Liuliping Town, Tuguanya Town, Niuhe Forestry Development and Management Area, Langhe Town, Dingjiaying Town, Shigu Town, Guanshan Town, Yanchihe Town, Junzhoulu Subdistrict Office, Sanguandian Subdistrict Office, Daba Subdistrict Office, Danzhao Road Subdistrict Office, and Wudangshan Subdistrict Office.