Wendeng Clam

Wendeng Clam

Wendeng Clam is a product with geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　"Wendeng Clam," scientifically known as "Mactra quadrangularis" and locally referred to as "white clam," "green clam," or "flour clam," is a traditional tidal flat shellfish cultivated in Wendeng City. The produced clams have thin shells, plump and tender meat, and are rich in nutrition, containing various components such as protein, vitamins, and taurine. They offer strong anti-radiation, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease prevention, immunity enhancement, and anti-aging benefits. It is considered one of the best seafood choices for health-conscious consumers and as a gift for family and friends. Wendeng City is located at the eastern tip of the Shandong Peninsula, bordering the Yellow Sea, where sea currents flow smoothly and water exchange is abundant. The tidal flats have gentle slopes, and five rivers flow into the sea, providing rich bait organisms—ideal habitats for the survival and reproduction of Wendeng Clams, making them densely distributed in these areas. Currently, the natural distribution area of Wendeng Clams in the city covers 20,000 mu, with a cultivated area of 10,000 mu, and an annual production of over 100 tons of fresh clams. According to historical records, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Wendeng City conducted over two years of coastal zone surveys to scientifically develop and utilize this valuable resource. These efforts helped gain a comprehensive understanding of the ecological habits, distribution area, resource area, biomass, and resource volume of Wendeng Clams. In recent years, Wendeng has prioritized tidal flat aquaculture as a key part of its marine development strategy, implementing regional intensive cultivation of tidal flat shellfish and focusing on establishing Wendeng Clam farming and enhancement zones in resource-rich areas. In 2004, Wendeng collaborated with Ocean University of China to establish the "Wendeng-Haida Shellfish Research Institute" in Wendeng, which also serves as a teaching and internship base for the university, strengthening scientific research and industrial development of shellfish farming. In 2008, the Weihai Tidal Flat Shellfish Engineering Technology Research Center was established. Subsequently, tidal flat shellfish farming companies, processing plants, and specialized cooperatives were set up. The city’s Aquatic Technology Extension Station has widely promoted the "Large-Scale Intensive Cultivation and High-Yield Technology for Tidal Flat Shellfish," shifting shellfish farming from conservation to pond-based intensive cultivation. As a result, the industrialization of Wendeng Clam farming has developed rapidly, making it one of the main shellfish farming regions in the province.

　　"Wendeng Clam" is one of the main local seafood production areas. Historically, it enjoyed the glorious title of the "King of Seafood." It boasts a long history in terms of resource volume, catch volume, sales volume, as well as breeding, farming, scientific research, and processing techniques. This seafood is mostly farmed in the coastal areas of Bukuowan Bay and Wuleidao Bay in the southern part of Wendeng City, where rivers meet the sea, resulting in excellent water quality and fertile tidal flats. The produced Bugu clams and Wendeng clams have thin shells, plump and tender meat, and are rich in nutrition, containing various components such as protein, fat, carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, vitamins, amino acids, and taurine. They offer strong anti-radiation, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease prevention, immunity enhancement, and anti-aging benefits. It is considered one of the best seafood choices for health-conscious consumers and as a gift for family and friends.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Wendeng Clams are mainly distributed in the shallow sea waters within the 2–10 meter depth contour lines in the southern coastal areas of Wendeng City, Shandong Province. The geographic scope: longitude 121°51′00″ to 122°13′00″ east, latitude 36°02′00″ to 37°17′00″ north. The city's natural distribution area of Wendeng Clams covers 1,350 hectares, with a cultivated area of 670 hectares, and an annual production of over 100 tons.