Identifying the value of aquatic products in Western Nghe An

(Baonghean) - Western Nghe An is recognized as one of the biosphere reserves with the highest biodiversity in Vietnam and the world. It is home to hundreds of extremely valuable fauna species. In particular, large livestock, poultry, and aquatic products have long been considered special products of this mountainous region. However, there are still shortcomings in converting the value of products and livestock into goods. Especially in the context of having to promote economic advantages for people in the most difficult areas of the province, but at the same time preserving genetic resources, biodiversity, and ecological environment for the entire region.

From the cool fish of Giang river

Pouring charcoal into a clay pot and placing the fish on a grill, Mr. Le Van Dung in Xieng village, Mon Son commune (Con Cuong) quickly turned both sides of the fish until it was golden brown and fragrant. Originally a “downstream person”, Mr. Dung has been attached to Mon Son for nearly 10 years. “The cuisine here does not have many delicious dishes to choose from, but no matter where you go or what you eat, nothing can compare to the fish,” Mr. Dung shared.

Mr. Le Van Dung (Mon Son - Con Cuong) with the fresh catch of fish he just caught on the Giang River.

Before our curious eyes, he told us carefully about this special fish. Normally, the catfish is only as big as two or three adult fingers. The biggest one weighs only 0.5 kg to 0.8 kg. The fish has 3 to 6 black dots on its body, and its fins are pink. Catfish live in schools in crevices of rocks and in places with fast-flowing water, and they often hunt for food at night.

The Giang River originates from the core area of ​​Pu Mat National Park (Con Cuong district) and after flowing through Anh Son and Thanh Chuong, it joins the Lam River. Although the Western Nghe An region has many localities where cool fish live in streams and creeks, the Giang River is always considered the "land" of cool fish. Cool fish from the Giang River is a gift that nature has bestowed upon the highland people, in which this aquatic species has an extremely important meaning in the life and beliefs of the Thai ethnic people along the river basin.

The local people often catch the cool fish from midnight to dawn. The fishing methods are quite diverse but basically manual: catching fish with nets, nets, nets, or even using ropes to tie rocks to the river bottom to catch fish. The fish are also more abundant and tastier if caught in the fall, which lasts until Tet.

In the indigenous people's concept, the cool fish is a gift from heaven to humans. Therefore, on the occasion of offering new rice, new rice, especially on the occasion of Tet in the ancestral worshiping tray of the Thai ethnic people in the communes of Mon Son, Luc Da, Yen Khe (Con Cuong), cool fish is an indispensable dish. The fish is processed into 3 main dishes, including: pa - pinh - giao, pa - pinh - top, pa - pinh - phe. According to the Thai language, "pa" means fish, "pinh - phe" means to spread out, 'pinh - top" means to fold, and "pinh - giao" means to spread evenly. In particular, with the pa - pinh - phe dish, the cool fish will be cut from the back instead of the belly as usual.

Cool fish is both healthy and nutritious, and its meat is delicious. In particular, according to many studies by scientists, cool fish has the ability to inhibit cardiovascular diseases, increase the body's resistance, increase milk production, and is very suitable for the elderly and obese people. In addition to the traditional preparation methods of local people, cool fish can also be grilled, fried, cooked in sour soup, made into salad, braised in clay pot, braised in soy sauce... and all are unique specialties of Western Nghe An.

To the matter of preserving and promoting unique values

Catfish is just one of many special products of the Western Nghe An region. According to the investigation, survey, and synthesis of domestic and foreign scientists and authorities, the mountainous region of Nghe An is home to the most important biosphere reserves of Vietnam and the world.

Not to mention the fauna with diverse genetic resources living in national parks and nature reserves, just the livestock, aquatic and native animals alone are an extremely rich picture.

Casting nets to catch cool fish on the Giang River

For example, through the survey, 8 endemic native buffalo, cow and horse breeds were identified such as: Phu Quy and Thanh Chuong buffaloes, Nghe An yellow cows (distributed in Quy Hop, Quy Chau, Nghia Dan, Tan Ky...), U Dau Ax cows, Mong cows, Zebu crossbred cows; Mong horses. There are goat, rabbit, pig and black pig breeds. Poultry and waterfowl include 7 breeds of chicken, duck and goose. All are high-value products.

In fact, Nghe An has conducted many studies to preserve and promote ecosystems, forest resources, species diversity and biological resources. However, the studies are still on a small scale, on specific subjects, without systematic research on the conservation of genetic resources. Rare genetic resources are at risk of degeneration.

Meanwhile, special plants and animals are being overexploited every day and every hour, making them at a higher risk of extinction than normal plants and animals. And more deeply, the knowledge and cultural values ​​associated with them will also be distorted.

Returning to the specialty of cool fish, since this specialty has become known to many people, its value has increased rapidly. Restaurants and hotels are always ready to buy it for 200,000 - 300,000 VND/kg, and visitors from far away are willing to spend 400,000 - 500,000 VND to buy 1kg of cool fish. In recent years, cool fish in Giang River has shown signs of depletion. And fishing with electric shock and explosives has also made aquatic species living in streams in general, cool fish in particular, increasingly scarce.

Never before has the problem of protecting native animals and livestock been as urgent as it is today. Without solutions to protect and conserve them while promoting the value of their products, the risk of their loss is easy to see. The question now is what to do to turn endemic indigenous values ​​into important factors in the economic development of local residents.

Thanh Quynh