Zhoushan Cuttlefish

Zhoushan Cuttlefish

　　Cuttlefish is one of the four major economic fish species in Zhoushan, ranking alongside large yellow croaker, small yellow croaker, and hairtail as a representative catch of the Zhoushan Fishing Ground. It can be consumed fresh, cured, or dried into cuttlefish jerky. The dried cuttlefish from Shengsi County, the main hub of the Zhoushan Fishing Ground, is known as “Mingbu Jerky,” which has long been famous and is considered a premium specialty among Shengsi’s cuttlefish products.

　　　In the vast East China Sea, there lives a creature that swims like a fish but isn’t actually a fish. It is commonly called “cuttlefish,” also known as “squid” or “inkfish.” It is one of China’s renowned seafood products and, in Zhejiang, is grouped with large yellow croaker, small yellow croaker, and hairtail as one of the “four major economic fish species,” beloved by many consumers.

　　　　In fact, cuttlefish is the largest invertebrate in the sea, belonging to the class Cephalopoda and the family Sepiidae. Its internal shell is called cuttlebone, its body color is pale, and its skin contains pigment cells, resulting in various colored spots. It has a well-developed ink sac; when threatened, it releases ink to obscure its escape. Cuttlefish inhabit deeper waters in winter but migrate to coastal reef areas in spring and summer to spawn. During spawning, they stay close to islands and rocky outcrops, laying eggs on seaweed and other surfaces. They have a short life cycle, grow quickly, and are annual species.

　　　　Cuttlefish are attracted to light and often gather in large groups, so fishermen frequently use bright lights to lure them during nighttime fishing. The summer cuttlefish season in the Shengshan Fishing Ground is part of the Zhejiang cuttlefish migration. From late April to early May, cuttlefish successively enter various spawning grounds around the Mǎ’ān Archipelago from areas such as Langgang and Haijiao, leading to cuttlefish seasons in Shengshan, Gouqi, Huaniao, Lühua, Bixia, and Sijiao Huanglong. Cuttlefish are highly valuable as food, nutrition, and medicine—the entire creature is useful. The flesh, roe, and backbone (known medicinally as cuttlebone or “Haipiaoxiao”) can all be used in traditional remedies. Li Shizhen referred to cuttlefish as a “blood tonic,” making it an excellent remedy for women suffering from anemia or blood deficiency and amenorrhea.