Old Prickly Sea Cucumber

Old Prickly Sea Cucumber

　　Wendeng is one of China’s major sea cucumber production areas. Currently, there are about 100 species of sea cucumbers living in the world’s oceans, among which the prickly sea cucumbers from the Shandong Peninsula and Liaodong Peninsula are of better quality. The local variety known as Wendeng’s old prickly sea cucumber (as it is commonly called by locals) is considered a premium among prickly sea cucumbers. For many years, the old prickly sea cucumbers produced in Wendeng have been widely welcomed by merchants and consumers both at home and abroad.

　　Sea cucumbers are a type of marine echinoderm. Prickly sea cucumbers prefer to inhabit sandy and rocky seabeds with slow and steady water currents, moderate to low water temperatures, and abundant seaweed. The waters around Wendeng do not have violent undercurrents and are rich in seaweed, making them very suitable for the survival of sea cucumbers.

　　Since the late 20th century, fishing companies and fishermen along the Wendeng coast have made full use of the excellent marine resources. By adopting methods such as pond reef construction, intertidal zone enclosure, and shallow sea bottom sowing, they have vigorously developed the cultivation of prickly sea cucumbers. The cultivation area, total stock, and annual yield all rank first in the country.

　　In China, sea cucumbers have long been listed as one of the “eight delicacies” of seafood. Their nutritional value and health benefits are well known to everyone. In hotels and restaurants in Wendeng, braised old prickly sea cucumber and old prickly sea cucumber soup are among the finest dishes served to guests.