East China Sea fishing season brings fresh catch, lower crab prices

Seafood is displayed for sale at a market in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

The East China Sea fishing season is underway, with freshly landed seafood flooding markets after the three-month moratorium ended earlier this month.

At the newly relocated East China Aquatic Products Trading Center in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, which began trial operations on Aug 10, nightly foot traffic has exceeded 1,000 and seafood trading volume has reached more than 30 metric tons, said Lin Bin, the company's general manager.

This year marks a "big year" for swimming crabs, with high yields driving prices down. Wholesale prices for a 2.5-kilogram crate of mixed white crabs are around 150 yuan ($21), while smaller blue-claw crabs with roe sell for about 180 yuan per crate — well below opening-day levels.

Retail prices have also dropped. At Wanji Chi market, medium-sized crabs sell for about 90 yuan per kilogram and larger ones for over 140 yuan, down from 150 to 200 yuan on opening day.

One local resident said her community group bought a 2.5-kg crate for 110 yuan, and her family has been eating crab almost daily.

Prices for Bombay duck have fallen from 1,100 yuan per 25-kg crate to below 400 yuan as more boats return. Hairtail, pomfret and squid remain scarce and pricier, as larger vessels will not return until mid-September.

The first catch has also drawn tourists. A visitor from Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, spent 500 yuan to ship 20 medium-sized crabs home. As more boats return, supplies are expected to grow, pushing prices down for consumers.