The Two ‘Living Treasures’ Beneath Vietnam’s Seas: A Plea for Their Protection

On August 8, the Institute of Oceanography of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology announced the results of a research project on the “Biological characteristics and current status of the ‘lịch củ’ fish, a type of snake eel, in the coastal and estuarine areas from Vung Tau to Ben Tre, along with proposed sustainable development solutions.”

The “lịch củ” fish, as it is locally known, refers to elongated fish species, often belonging to the snake eel family, that bury themselves in the seabed. These fish are commercially valuable, with some species fetching prices between 500,000 and 700,000 VND per kilogram. Despite their ecological and livelihood importance, scientific information about these fish has been limited until now.

The research team collected samples from five nearshore sites and nine offshore stations, employing various fishing methods such as trawling, trapping, and gillnetting.

The study identified five representative species, including two new ones: the “lịch mỡ” fish (Ophichthus cuulongensis Vo, Hibino & Ho, 2025) and the “lịch dài thân đen” fish (O. nguyenorum Vo, Hibino & Ho, 2025). These new species were named after their distinctive features.

In addition, the study recorded the presence of the high-finned snake eel (O. macrochir), the two-row-toothed snake eel (O. rutidoderma), and the Pisodonophis cf. boro, a type of snake eel with distinctive teeth.

The team’s findings extended beyond the snake eel family, as they also described two new species of deep-sea bottom-dwelling fish belonging to the genera Dysomma and Dysommina (family Synaphobranchidae). These species, published in the Journal of Fish Biology, exhibit unique characteristics in terms of body proportions, fin and tooth structures, lateral line pore counts, and vertebral counts.

Notably, the study also marks the first record of the Meadia roseni eel in Vietnamese waters, previously only known from the waters of Taiwan.

Scientists call for conservation measures

Although not yet listed in the Vietnamese Red Book or the IUCN Red List as they were only described in 2025, these two new species of “lịch củ” fish are considered vulnerable to population decline.

Their narrow distribution in the coastal and estuarine areas of Southeast Vietnam, coupled with high commercial value and vulnerable habitats susceptible to trawling, mangrove loss, and pollution, underscores the urgency of conservation efforts.

The scientists recommended immediate protective measures to prevent resource depletion, similar to what has happened with other species of eels.

To ensure the sustainability of these resources, the scientific team proposed the following:

– Allow the harvesting of “lịch mỡ” fish only when they reach a length of over 68.5 cm;

– Use nets with a mesh size larger than 20 mm to prevent the capture of juvenile fish;

– Restrict or prohibit trawling in shallow waters less than 10 meters deep;

– Implement temporary fishing bans in estuaries during peak spawning months (March and September), coupled with enhanced patrols and enforcement of nearshore fishing regulations.

These research findings not only contribute to the taxonomic and biological knowledge of eels in Vietnam but also provide crucial scientific groundwork for the management, conservation, and sustainable development of the country’s fisheries resources.

According to experts, the discovery of these two new “lịch củ” species not only expands our understanding of Vietnam’s marine biodiversity but also offers valuable data for classification and conservation efforts. The insights into their biological characteristics, spawning seasons, and habitats will inform the development of rational management and exploitation measures, ensuring the protection of the coastal ecosystem while promoting the sustainable development of fisheries resources.