According to a recent report from the Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the city of Ezhou has been officially recognized as the "Hometown of Chinese Wuchang Bream" by the Organising Committee of Promotion and Advertising Activities for Hometown of Chinese Specialty. This prestigious title adds to the city's list of national-level honors, with its previous recognition as the "Hometown of Chinese Wuchang Bream Cuisine".
In 1955, Mr. Yi Bolu made a significant discovery, clarifying that Wuchang Bream is a unique species exclusively found in Liangzi Lake, located in Ezhou. Since then, Liangzi Lake has earned the title of the "mother lake" of Wuchang Bream. Notably, the establishment and operation of the "National Blunt Snout Bream (Wuchang Bream) Breeding Center" and the subsequent approval and registration of the "Ezhou Wuchang Bream" origin trademark by the former State Administration for Industry and Commerce in 2006 have further solidified the prominence of Wuchang Bream in the region. Over the past half-century, Wuchang Bream has made its mark in Hubei, becoming a symbol and brand of Ezhou.
In recent years, the municipal party committee and government have placed significant emphasis on the growth of the Wuchang Bream industry. They have actively worked towards fostering the development of the Wuchang Bream industry chain, promoting the brand, and enhancing the urban identity. The comprehensive development of this industry spans across various sectors, including breeding, fish farming, processing, and cultural promotion. Efforts have been made to create a well-rounded industry chain centered around the Wuchang Bream.
In aquaculture, the foundation lies in the cultivation of seedlings. In Ezhou, the breeding system for Wuchang Bream (Blunt Snout Bream) has reached an advanced stage. The city is home to nine well-established aquatic seedling breeding bases, with an impressive annual capacity to breed 6 billion fish. The dedicated area for Wuchang Bream cultivation covers a vast expanse of 403,400 mu (approximately 0.13 km2), employing various methods including single-species cultivation, mixed-species cultivation, and stacked cultivation. This includes two farming bases exceeding 10,000 mu, 36 bases surpassing 1,000 mu, and 148 bases covering more than 100 mu. Currently, Ezhou offers a diverse range of processed food products, prominently featuring Wuchang Bream. These products include pre-prepared, smoked and cured varieties, offering an impressive assortment of over 20 options. The annual sales of these products exceed RMB 10 billion, providing employment opportunities for over 50,000 individuals and significantly boosting farmers' income by more than RMB 4,000 per capita.
"Wuchang Bream holds a special place in the hearts of Ezhou people, serving as a vital pillar industry within our agricultural sector and acting as a representative symbol in our external interactions. Moving forward, we will seize this honor as a catalyst for progress. Our goal is to enhance the mechanisms that engage farmers in the Wuchang Bream industry, actively encouraging their participation in the Ezhou Wuchang Bream industry chain. Through the revitalization of this industry, we aspire to drive rural revitalization, ultimately leading to improved income and prosperity for our dedicated farmers", expressed the official responsible for the Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.