In the year 2005, with an investment of RMB 1.89 million (US5,000 ) from the Guangzhou Municipal Government, Guangdong province's first aquatic animal isolation area was established at the Agricultural Technology Promotion Center.

Giant catfish, Hypostomus punctatus, walrus and other offensive or unknown fishes are all "prisoners in custody". On December 25th, the isolation area was officially named the Guangzhou Aquatic Animal Epidemic Prevention & Quarantine Centre. Vice Mayor Chen Guo attended the opening ceremony.

Currently there are more than 60 aquatic species in the "prison", said Huang Banghai, Director of the Centre. They are only allowed to entry to the market after being confirmed as having no exotic diseases and posing no hazard to the local natural environment.