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Jomsusuchi
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Located in a valley stream in South Jeolla Province, small freshwater fish a victim of pollution, construction
A tiny fish that only makes its home in a valley on Geogeum Island in the South Sea is on the brink of extinction. The freshwater fish, Kichulchoia brevifasciata, or Jomsusuchi in Korean, was discovered only recently.
In one of the valleys of the island, located in South Jeolla Province, construction work to prevent erosion was underway on December 4. Since this work began, muddy water has flown from the upper part of the stream and the valley has lost its function as a habitat for the rare species of fish.
Prof. Kim Ik-su of Chonbuk National University first discovered this species of fish in 1995 and announced its existence to the academic world. It was then put on a list of wild animals and plants to be protected by law the next year, but there were no practical measures taken to protect the fish. The rare fish began to dwindle in number due to water pollution and various construction work being done near its habitat.
At first, the rare fish had been found in several other valleys nearby, but now the only remaining fish live in the single valley on Geogeum Island.
Making matters worse, the Ministry of Environment removed the species from the list in 2005, saying that the related provincial government was responsible for protecting the fish because it lives only in one area of the country. But according to the Goheung County office, however, the ministry made no such request. In the small island valley, Kichulchoia brevifasciata lives in one 4.5 km-long stream. A three-member research team found only five fish in the entire stream after four hours of searching. Kim Eun-jin of the research team, which has surveyed the stream every month for the past year, said that the habitat was not in a secure position, owing to frequent floods and construction work. In addition, construction work of a bridge linking Port Nokdong and Geogeum Island is underway, worsening the problem. Unless the situation is corrected, the fish is expected to become extinct in one or two years, said Professor Kim. Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]
