60 Million Sea Cucumbers from Lianjiang Hit the Market
Sea cucumbers, known as the “No. 1 among the eight treasures,” are a highly sought-after delicacy at banquets and a prized health supplement. Currently, 60 million sea cucumbers from Lianjiang are being harvested and gradually making their way to major markets in Fuzhou.
Plump and Robust Sea Cucumbers from Lianjiang.
Recently, the reporter visited the sea area of Dinghai Village in Xiaocheng Town, Lianjiang, where workers were busy harvesting plump, meaty sea cucumbers. “The sea cucumbers we’re harvesting now were seeded last November. After over four months of growth, they’ve grown from 35 grams to over 150 grams, with the largest ones nearing 500 grams,” said large-scale farmer Huang Shifeng.
The bountiful harvest of sea cucumbers in Lianjiang is largely attributed to the unique model of “farming northern sea cucumber seedlings in southern China.” Every year, from October to November, sea cucumber seedlings from Liaoning and Shandong are transported over a thousand li (500 kilometers) to Lianjiang, where they spend the winter in its warm waters.
“In winter, the water temperature in Lianjiang remains above 12°C, enabling sea cucumbers to continue feeding and growing without entering dormancy,” said Zhao Shichang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch of Dinghai Village in Xiaocheng Town. Situated at the confluence of the Minjiang and Aojiang rivers, the waters around Dinghai Village are nutrient-rich, thanks to the blending of fresh and saltwater. Combined with the calm seas, this creates an ideal “growth environment” for sea cucumbers.
According to statistics from the Lianjiang Bureau of Ocean and Fisheries, the area dedicated to sea cucumber farming in Lianjiang spans 600 hectares, with a total of 60 million sea cucumbers and an annual production of 7,000 tons. (Fuzhou Evening News Reporter: Zheng Ruiyang; Correspondent: Lian Rongmei, Text/Photo)