A study from April 29-30 used skimming nets to research freshwater fish in Seoul's Cheonggyecheon Stream.

By Margareth Theresia
Photos = National Science Museum

Shiri (Korean splendid dace), a freshwater fish whose presence denotes clean water quality, has been found in Cheonggyecheon Stream that flows through Seoul.

The Seoul Facilities Corp. (SFC) on May 27 said that to mark the 20th anniversary of the stream's restoration, it conducted the first study on freshwater fish there from April 29-30 with the National Science Museum.

The research found that minnow was the most dominant species, comprising 53.7% of the fish in the stream, followed by Korean chub (Zacco koreanus) with 14.7% and striped shiner (Pungtungia herzi) 7.5%. The study also discovered that shiri, Korean chub and Korean spotted sleeper (Odontobutis interrupta) are indigenous species.

The presence of shiri, found in the upper section of Cheonggyecheon near Gwangsugyo Bridge, is considered an indicator of water quality. The species lives only in clear water with fast currents, and its presence is scientific evidence of the stream's suitability as a habitat for organisms.

Stretching 8.12 km from Cheonggye Plaza in the city's Jongno-gu District to Jungnangcheon Stream, Cheonggyecheon was restored in a large-scale project that ran from 2003-05. Over the past 20 years, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has continuously sought to improve the stream's water quality and create ecological habitats there.

"We are striving to create a healthy Cheonggyecheon Stream that harmonizes ecology and the environment in the city center," SFC Chairman Han Kook-young said. "We will keep managing water quality and preserving the ecological environment to make Cheonggyecheon one of the city's most appealing spaces."

Clockwise from top left are shiri, Korean chub, minnow and Korean spotted sleeper.