Dajia Wa Tilapia Fish

Dajia Wa Tilapia Fish

Dajia Wa Tilapia Fish is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Dajia Wa Tilapia Fish is a specialty of Dajia Wa Subdistrict Office in Binhai Development Zone, Weifang City, Shandong Province. It is a nationally protected geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Dajia Wa Subdistrict Office is located in the northern part of Weifang City, on the southern shore of Laizhou Bay in the Bohai Sea, and is now part of the Binhai Economic Development Zone in Weifang, Shandong. The half-smooth tongue sole, also known as Tilapia Fish, is deeply loved by residents for its rich nutrition and pleasant taste.

　　In 2013, "Dajia Wa Tilapia Fish," applied for by the Fisheries Association of Weifang Binhai Economic and Technological Development Zone, passed the review of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and expert evaluation, and was officially registered and protected as a national geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Dajia Wa Tilapia Fish, scientifically named Cynoglossus semilaevis, is locally also called Timi Fish. It is mainly distributed in the northern offshore waters and land-based aquaculture areas of Dajia Wa Town within the Binhai Economic Development Zone of Weifang, Shandong (hereinafter referred to as the Binhai Area). The offshore section is located north of the coastal protection dike in the Binhai Area, stretching west to the centerline and extension of the Laohe River, and east to the maritime boundary between the Binhai Area and Changyi City, covering an area of 510 square kilometers. The land-based aquaculture areas consist of seawater pond farming and groundwater greenhouse farming, scattered throughout the Binhai Area—that is, east of Shouguang, west of the centerline of the Yu River, north of Hanting District, spanning an area of 677 square kilometers. The offshore boundaries are as follows: west at E119°01′, N37°11.7′; north at E119°07′, N37°21′; south at E119°16′, N37°05′; east at E119°21′, N37°22′. The land-based boundaries are: west at E118°53′, N36°56′; north at E119°53′, N37°18′; east at E119°18′, N37°18′; south at E119°18′, N36°56′. The annual yield is 1,400 tons, with an annual output value of 340 million yuan.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Appearance Characteristics: Dajia Wa Tilapia Fish has a flat body with a tongue-like shape, slightly wide and thick-fleshed. Its head and eyes are very small, with both eyes located on the left side of the head. The eyed side is covered with ctenoid scales, pale brown in color; the blind side is covered with cycloid scales, appearing white. The dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin are continuous, with no pectoral fins. The fish’s mouth is semi-circular, and there are significant differences between male and female individuals.   2. Internal Quality and Indicators: The nutritional components and therapeutic benefits of Tilapia Fish have been extensively documented throughout history, both in China and abroad, with abundant and well-supported records. Modern traditional Chinese medicine believes that consuming Tilapia Fish can benefit qi and spleen, nourish deficiencies, support liver and kidney health, resist arteriosclerosis, prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, enhance memory, and protect vision. Tilapia Fish has a mild nature, sweet taste, and fresh flavor, making it suitable for all age groups and genders. Typically, its protein content ranges from 15.20 g/100g to 16.60g/100g. Due to its unique growing environment and abundant natural food sources, the fat content of Dajia Wa Tilapia Fish is 0.09g/100g higher than that of Tilapia Fish from other regions, contributing to its superior quality. When consumed, it offers a fragrant, fresh taste, with a smooth, tender, and elastic texture.   3. Quality and Safety Standards: In addition to strictly adhering to the requirements for origin environment, seedling quality, and production management mentioned above, Dajia Wa Tilapia Fish must also comply with the relevant indicators and criteria outlined in GB18406.4-2001 "Safety Quality of Agricultural Products – Safety Requirements for Pollution-Free Aquatic Products," DB37/T1785-2011 "Technical Specifications for the Use of Fishery Drugs in Marine Fish Farming," DB37/T713 "Limit Residues of Fishery Drugs in Aquatic Seedlings," NY5072 "Safety Limits for Compound Feeds for Pollution-Free Aquaculture," and NY5052 "Water Quality for Marine Aquaculture in Pollution-Free Food." Continuous improvements in quality management and stringent, detailed standards are enforced to ensure the quality and safety of Laizhou Bay Tilapia Fish.