Taoxin Green Shrimp

Taoxin Green Shrimp

Taoxin Green Shrimp is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　The farming area of Taoxin Green Shrimp has exceeded 3,000 mu, benefiting 260 farming households, with an annual output value of 7 million yuan. It is the largest pollution-free green shrimp farming base in the city and has become an important local brand.

　　As early as the Northern Song Dynasty, Taoxin had a history of shrimp breeding, catching, and consumption. According to historical records available, as early as the second year of the Chiwu era (239 AD) during the Eastern Wu period, Sun Quan relocated 100,000 refugees from the north of the Yangtze River to reclaim land around lakes in the Wuhu area. By the late Northern Song Dynasty, especially during Emperor Huizong’s reign, as continuous invasions and harassment by foreign tribes occurred, people from the Central Plains migrated southward across the Yangtze River in search of survival. As the population gradually increased and arable land became insufficient, reclaiming land from lakes naturally became a primary means of making a living. Thanks to historical lake reclamation, the waters within the town are clear and rich in resources, producing high-quality aquatic products such as fish, shrimp, crabs, and soft-shell turtles. To this day, farmers in the Taoxin area still retain the traditional method of using "shrimp nets" to catch shrimp, and there is also a popular saying in folklore: “No feast is complete without fish, no banquet without shrimp.” Additionally, local traditional festivals in Wuhu, such as the "Shrimp Lantern" and "Horse Lantern" performances, are rich in shrimp-related cultural elements. The artificial pond farming of "Taoxin Green Shrimp" began in the 1950s, saw large-scale development in the 1990s, and currently covers a farming and enhancement area of 50,000 mu. Its products are sold in major cities such as Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou.

　　Geographic Scope

　　"Taoxin Green Shrimp" is mainly distributed across 22 villages within the administrative region of Taoxin Town, Wuhu County, Anhui Province. These villages include Xicun, Shadun, Shiqiao, Maqiao, Simen, Heqiao, Louma, Ruicun, Qifang, Chengcun, Taoxin, Xintang, Youyi, LuZhong, Tianjing, Huwan, Beihu, Sanguan, Dongguan, Dingfeng, Baotai, Nijia. The geographic scope lies between 31°06′42″N to 31°14′30″N latitude and 118°18′048″E to 118°28′35″E longitude, with a total protected area of 8,180 hectares.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Characteristics: "Taoxin Green Shrimp" are dioecious, with males generally larger. They have three pairs of walking legs. The first pair, commonly called small claws, are used to grasp small aquatic organisms and bring them to the mouth to be eaten; the second pair are very thick and large, with a length close to or exceeding twice the body length (in female shrimp, the second pair is only about equal to the body length); and the base of the third pair of legs has a black spot on the outer side. During the breeding season, female shrimp carrying eggs appear particularly dark in color, usually bluish-brown. They have thin shells, tender meat, large size, delicious taste, smooth and semi-transparent shells with bright coloration. Their bodies are covered with a shell, divided into twenty segments, spindle-shaped, with prominent arm lengths, making them one of the most distinctive specialty aquatic products in Taoxin. When cooked, "Taoxin Green Shrimp" turn a bright orange-red color.   2. Internal Quality: "Taoxin Green Shrimp" have thin shells and tender meat, and are highly nutritious. They are a premium food that is high in protein, low in fat, and low in calories. The total amino acid content in the muscle is ≥18%, and they are rich in minerals such as calcium and phosphorus as well as various essential vitamins required by the human body. Common preparation methods as nutritious dishes include salt-boiled shrimp, blanched shrimp, garlic shrimp, fried shrimp, and shrimp stir-fry, all of which are extremely delicious. Per 100 grams of fresh shrimp meat, it contains ≥17.80 grams of protein, ≤1.25 grams of fat, ≤78.5 grams of moisture, ≤1.1 grams of carbohydrates, and ≥50 milligrams of calcium.   3. Quality and Safety Regulations: The "Shuiyun" Brand Green Shrimp Agricultural Inputs Management Measures are implemented.   Article 1: To strengthen the management of agricultural inputs, protect the ecological environment and human life safety, continuously improve the quality and market competitiveness of agricultural products, and promote the sustained, stable, and healthy development of agriculture, these measures are hereby formulated in accordance with relevant national laws, regulations, and rules, combined with the actual conditions of green shrimp farming in our county.   Article 2: The agricultural inputs referred to in these measures include: aquatic drugs, fertilizers, seedlings, feed, feed additives, etc.   Article 3: Any unit or individual selling, operating, or using the aforementioned agricultural inputs within the administrative region of our county must comply with these measures.   Article 4: The supervision team is responsible for supervising and managing the production inputs such as aquatic drugs, fertilizers, seedlings, and feed used within the association. It also assists the county Administration for Industry and Commerce and the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau in conducting regular or irregular inspections of agricultural inputs in the region.   Article 5: The water used for aquaculture shall meet the standards of the Ministry of Agriculture's "Water Quality for Pollution-Free Freshwater Aquaculture" (NY5051-2001).   Article 6: The use of aquatic feed shall comply with the "Regulations on the Management of Feed and Feed Additives" and the Ministry of Agriculture's "Safety Limits for Pollution-Free Aquatic Feed" (NY5072-2002).   Article 7: The labeling of producers of agricultural inputs must comply with the requirements of the national "Product Labeling and Marking Regulations."   Article 8: It is prohibited to purchase or sell products that do not meet national regulations or fail inspection.   Article 9: Aquaculture units or individuals shall fill out the "Wuhu County Pollution-Free Aquaculture Base Management File" during production and retain it for more than two years.   Article 10: These measures shall come into effect on July 1, 2005, and are interpreted by the Wuhu County Green Shrimp Farming Association.