Zhalong Crucian Carp

Zhalong Crucian Carp

Zhalong Crucian Carp is a product with a geographical indication.

　　Zhalong is a renowned nature reserve for precious waterfowl in China, located thirty kilometers southeast of Qiqihar City, in the oak forest and grassland region on the periphery of the Songnen Plain in Northeast China. It was initiated by the provincial forestry department in 1976, and in 1979, the People’s Government of Heilongjiang Province approved the establishment of the Heilongjiang Zhalong Nature Reserve and the Zhalong Nature Reserve Administration. In April 1987, the State Council approved Zhalong Nature Reserve as a national nature reserve. In 1992, when China joined the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, Zhalong was listed as an internationally important wetland. The total area is 210,000 hectares. The area features low-lying terrain, widespread rivers, dense reeds, and numerous lakes and ponds, making it a natural paradise suitable for the habitat and breeding of waterfowl. In August 1983, Deng Xiaoping personally visited Zhalong Nature Reserve for inspection, and international friends have also visited the reserve many times.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Zhalong Crucian Carp is mainly distributed within the national-level Zhalong Nature Reserve in Tiefeng District, Qiqihar, covering a protected area of 1,200 hectares at Longhu (Dragon Lake), 366.67 hectares at Tian’ehu (Swan Lake), 500 hectares at Xianhehu (Crane Lake), with a total area of 2,066.67 hectares. The annual production of crucian carp is 170 tons. Its geographical coordinates lie between 124°06′ east longitude and 47°10′ north latitude. The national-level Zhalong Nature Reserve is a wetland ecological conservation area, ranking as the world's fourth largest and Asia’s largest internationally important wetland, one of China’s six most beautiful marshes, and the country’s largest crane protection base. The climate is a temperate continental monsoon climate of the northern zone, characterized by dry and windy springs, warm and rainy summers, short autumns with early frosts, and cold, dry winters. The annual average temperature is 3.2°C, the annual average rainfall is 415.5 mm, and the frost-free period averages around 130 days. The terrain in the area is flat, higher in the west and lower in the east. The transitional zone between the wetland and plain forms the most pristine and species-rich wetland natural complex at this latitude. The tributary of the Nen River, the Wuyuer River, loses its channel here and spills out to form vast marshlands with dense reed beds. The water quality in the area is fresh, rich in various aquatic organisms, abundant in aquatic plants, with high benthic biomass, offering extremely rich natural food sources. There are more than 40 species of wild fish, making it an ideal natural environment for fish growth and reproduction. The application for the geographical indication of Zhalong Crucian Carp benefits from these uniquely favorable natural conditions, helping to protect agricultural products that hold unique regional advantages for the city.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　This section primarily describes the unique quality characteristics of the registered product and the standards followed in ensuring product quality and safety, including: (1) External Sensory Characteristics: Zhalong Crucian Carp generally measures 10–15 cm in length. Its body is laterally compressed and tall, relatively thick, with a round belly. The fish has a plump, glossy appearance. (2) Internal Quality and Characteristics: Zhalong Crucian Carp is rich in protein and over ten types of vitamins. Per 100 grams of fish, the crude protein content exceeds 17%, crude fat exceeds 0.25%, unsaturated fatty acids exceed 72%, calcium exceeds 450 mg/kg, phosphorus exceeds 1100 mg/kg, iron exceeds 60 mg/kg, zinc exceeds 6.7 mg/kg, magnesium exceeds 170 mg/kg, along with sugars, riboflavin, and others. The water source in the protected area comes from the unpolluted Nen River (Wuyuer River) system. Zhalong Crucian Carp mainly grows relying on natural bait organisms in the lake, representing natural growth. The lake water is fresh and fertile, and the large surface area allows the fish to grow rapidly. The meat is tender, delicious, free of off-flavors, highly nutritious, and offers health-nourishing effects. Crucian carp has high medicinal value: it is sweet, neutral, and warm in nature, known to strengthen the spleen and stimulate appetite, promote urination, reduce swelling, relieve coughs and wheezing, clear heat and detoxify, promote diuresis and reduce edema, tonify the middle energizer and benefit qi, dispel dampness, remove toxins and hemorrhoids, reduce swelling, and protect the liver. As Zhalong Crucian Carp is a wild fish grown in a purely natural, pollution-free environment, it boasts excellent taste. The product is tender, rich, and pure, offering endless enjoyment. (3) Safety Requirements: Product quality and safety strictly comply with the technical regulations and quality standards for pollution-free aquatic product production (NY5053-2005), DB23/T788-2004.