Shenzhen International Food Exhibition learned that "Jiangchuan Bighead Fish" has been officially certified as a national geographical indication protected product. This recognition makes the fish species the first indigenous fish in Yunnan Province to obtain geographical indication protection, marking a significant breakthrough in the construction of characteristic aquatic product brands in Jiangchuan District and adding new impetus to the development of the local ecological economy.

Scientifically known as cyprinus pellegrini, Jiangchuan Bighead Fish is a rare and precious fish species unique to Yunnan. Its natural distribution is limited to the waters of Xingyun Lake and Qilu Lake. As one of the "four major rare and precious" indigenous fish species in Yunnan Province, it was listed in the National Second-Class Key Protected Wild Animals List as early as 1989 and was included in Yunnan's "Six Famous Fish" List in 2011. Jiangchuan Bighead Fish mainly inhabits the upper and middle waters of Xingyun Lake and feeds on plankton. It gets its name due to its distinctive head features and its origin in Xingyun Lake, Jiangchuan, and holds a unique position in the local fishing culture and dietary traditions.

To promote the sustainable development of the Jiangchuan Bighead Fish industry, the local government launched the application for geographical indication products as early as 2013. After years of efforts and overcoming difficulties such as institutional reforms, it finally passed the technical review and certification by the National Intellectual Property Administration on June 2, 2025. Prior to this, the "Jiangchuan Bighead Fish" geographical indication certification trademark was successfully registered in 2015, providing an important guarantee for subsequent brand protection and development.

In recent years, Jiangchuan Bighead Fish has achieved a transformation from an endangered species to large-scale breeding. Since the establishment of the Jiangchuan Bighead Fish Original Species Station in 2000, aquatic science and technology workers have conducted continuous research for more than 20 years, successfully breaking through technical difficulties in artificial propagation and seedling cultivation. From 2009 to 2025, the local fishery department has continuously expanded the breeding scale by implementing stock enhancement and release programs, promoting reservoir and pond breeding, and other measures. At present, the breeding range of this fish species has covered 96% of the suitable waters in Jiangchuan District, with an annual output stably exceeding 60 tons. It is particularly worth mentioning that the local innovative development of the rice (lotus root)-fish integrated farming model, which organically combines fish breeding with rice planting, not only provides natural bait and habitat for fish but also uses fish manure to provide nutrients for rice growth, forming an efficient ecological cycle system and achieving a dual improvement in economic and ecological benefits.

Shenzhen International Food Exhibition noted that this certification as a national geographical indication product will significantly enhance the brand influence and market competitiveness of "Jiangchuan Bighead Fish". Looking forward, Jiangchuan District will focus on strengthening the standardized management of geographical indication products, strictly supervising the use of special marks, maintaining market order, and actively carrying out brand promotion activities to promote the industry towards standardization and branding. This characteristic fish species, which carries the memory of ancient Yunnan fishing culture, is gradually becoming an important industry to increase farmers' income and promote rural revitalization, fully embodying the ecological resource advantages of the "Plateau Water Town" in the industrial chain.

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Source: Yunnan Daily

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