From herder to harvester: Xinjiang salmon fishing makes a splash

Despite being located deep inland in the heart of the Eurasian continent and thousands of kilometers from the sea, Xinjiang is quietly emerging as a surprising new hub for the salmon fishing industry.

In the Jilintai Reservoir, a little northwest of Nilka County, melting snow from Xinjiang's towering Tianshan Mountains continuously flows into this water source, providing an ideal environment for cold-water fish with its consistent water temperature.

In 2021, an organic agriculture company introduced salmon farming to this area, bringing a new growth point to the local economy and offering fresh employment opportunities. Among those to take advantage was a former local herder named Ayhen Baghdaulet, who seized the chance to make a drastic career change. In the years since joining the fish farming base, he has learned all about salmon farming and harvesting, seeing his income steadily increase while gaining greater knowledge and joy in his life.