Children release Ryukyu-ayu fry into the Genka River

Children release Ryukyu-ayu fry into the Genka River

On April 29, at Genka River in Nago, pupils released the fry of the Ryukyu-ayu.


May 2, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On April 29, at the Genka River in Nago, about 50 pupils of Genka Elementary School released approximately 1000 fry of the Ryukyu-ayu or Plecoglossus Altivelis Ryukyuensis (sweetfish). The pupils dropped the juvenile fish into the river from the bridge from their small buckets and hoped that they will become bigger.

The three-centimeter long Ryukyu-ayu are fry that the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium farmed artificially hatched four months ago. Since 1988, Genka Ward has aimed to increase the sweet fish population by stocking the river with them.
Hatsuo Oyakawa, the head of Genka Ward said, “It is necessary to release the sweet fish to revitalize Genka River which can be hear the sounds of their jumping like it used to be.” Yu Christina Nago, a fifth grade pupil of Genka Elementary School, who released the fish, said with a smile, “They were so small and cute. I hope that they grow big and come back.”

Genka Ward held the 19th Sweetfish Streamer Festival. By May 13, a total of about 150 sweetfish streamers made by local children will be flown around the Genka Community Hall.

(English translation by T&CT, Lima Tokumori and Mark Ealey)

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