Grass Carp from Wudalianchi

Grass Carp from Wudalianchi

Grass Carp from Wudalianchi is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　In recent years, the Wudalianchi Scenic Area has continuously strengthened the protection of the water bodies in the Five Lakes, providing an excellent ecological environment for the growth of various precious fish species. Each late autumn, fishing companies release hundreds of thousands of kilograms of fry to achieve sustainable natural farming of cold-water mineral spring fish.

　　Common names for grass carp include: 草鲩, 油鲩, 草鲩, 白鲩, 草鱼, 草根 (Northeastern China), 混子, 黑青鱼, etc. English name: Grass carp. It inhabits rivers and lakes in plain areas, generally preferring the middle to lower layers of water and areas near the shore rich in aquatic plants. It is lively, swims swiftly, and often feeds in groups, being a typical herbivorous fish. It spends winters in deep waters of main streams or lakes. During the breeding season, adult fish have the habit of migrating upstream. It has been introduced to many countries across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Since grass carp typically prefer the middle and lower layers of rivers and lakes and areas near the shore rich in aquatic vegetation, they exhibit migratory behavior between rivers and lakes. Mature individuals spawn in flowing waters such as rivers and reservoirs. After spawning, parent fish and juveniles move into tributaries and connected lakes, usually feeding and growing fat in shallow flooded grasslands, waterlogged areas, and vegetated habitats in affiliated water bodies (such as lakes, small rivers, and channels). In winter, they overwinter in the deep waters of main rivers or lakes. Grass carp are active, swim quickly, often feed in groups, are greedy eaters, and are typical herbivores. At the fry stage, they feed on zooplankton; during the juvenile stage, they also consume insects, earthworms, algae, and duckweed. Once their body length exceeds about 10 centimeters, they feed entirely on aquatic higher plants, especially grasses from the Poaceae family. The types of plants they consume vary according to the food availability in their living environment. They grow rapidly and have a wide range of feed sources, making them one of the "Four Major Chinese Freshwater Fish" species used in aquaculture.

　　Grass Carp from Wudalianchi is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　 Geographic Scope

　　The Wudalianchi Nature Reserve is located in Heilongjiang Province, on the western side of the Lesser Khingan Mountains. Wudalianchi is a "UNESCO Global Geopark," a national key "Scenic Area and Nature Reserve." Wudalianchi Mineral Water is one of the world’s three major cold mineral springs and China’s only cold mineral spring health resort. The protected area for Wudalianchi Grass Carp spans 2,200 hectares, including eight naturally formed lakes: First Pond, Second Pond, Third Pond, Fourth Pond, Fifth Pond, South Crescent Pool, North Crescent Pool, and Yaquan Lake. The annual production of mineral spring grass carp is 300 tons. Its geographical coordinates are longitude 126°00′–126°26′ and latitude 48°34′–48°48′.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　This section primarily describes the unique quality characteristics of the registered product and the quality and safety regulations followed, mainly including: 1. External sensory characteristics: Wudalianchi Grass Carp has a glossy body surface with intact, not easily shed scales. The gills are bright red with clear filaments. The eyeballs are full and prominent, with transparent corneas. The muscle is firm and elastic. The fish meat has no muddy or fishy taste, is fragrant but not greasy, tender but not oily, leaving a lingering aftertaste in the mouth and is very delicious. 2. Internal quality indicators: Grown in mineral spring water rich in various trace elements—especially high in calcium and phosphorus—the grass carp contains more than 70mg of calcium, over 230mg of magnesium, and over 1,300mg of phosphorus per kilogram. Crude protein content exceeds 17%, crude fat is less than 2%, and unsaturated fatty acids account for more than 69% of total fatty acids, which are highly beneficial to human health. 3. Safety requirements: Wudalianchi Grass Carp complies with GB/T18407.4-2001 "Agricultural Product Safety Quality – Non-polluting Aquatic Product Environmental Requirements"; the production environment follows NY5051-2001 "Non-polluting Food – Freshwater Aquaculture Water Quality Standards"; the product adheres to NY5053-2005 "Non-polluting Food – Common Freshwater Fish Standards."