Black Yanzi Cockles

Black Yanzi Cockles

Black Yanzi Cockles are a product with geographical indication status.

　　The waters of Fengnan County in Tangshan City are located in the Bohai Bay and were historically known as the “confluence of nine rivers.” This area was once a major production zone for cockles and clams. Marine fishing in the county primarily took place in Heiyanzi Town, which consists of seven natural villages. During the 1970s and 1980s, fishing boats in Heiyanzi Town mainly targeted cockles. During the production team era, each team had one to two drying areas about half the size of a football field, where piles of cockles formed small mountains. In those resource-scarce times, some of the cockles were dried and stored in warehouses for winter consumption, while the shells were used to pave roads. In the past, most rural paths in the Heiyanzi area were covered with neatly laid cockle shells, which prevented dust on sunny days and mud on rainy ones. With economic development and rising living standards, “Black Yanzi Cockles” have gained increasing popularity due to their excellent quality and delicious taste. They have become a signature local seafood specialty. When visitors come to Fengnan, “Black Yanzi Cockles” are often the first dish they try. In Fengnan’s food industry, whether at high-end or casual restaurants, “Black Yanzi Cockles” are always prominently featured among the seafood offerings. They have truly become a renowned, high-quality local specialty. These cockles can be prepared in numerous ways, and no matter how they’re cooked—boiled, grilled, braised, hot-potted, stir-fried, or mixed—they remain tender and delicious. Among these, the “cockle-stuffed steamed dumplings” are especially distinctive and have become a beloved local delicacy.

　　The coastal waters of Heiyanzi feature unique water quality and typical muddy shores, creating ideal conditions for cockle growth. As a result, Heiyanzi cockles are known for their excellent texture, lack of grittiness, delicious flavor, and rich nutrition—advantages unmatched by cockles from other regions.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Heiyanzi Town is located at the southernmost tip of Fengnan District in Tangshan City, a shining pearl nestled along the Bohai Sea coast. The town enjoys a superior location, situated just 35 kilometers north of downtown Tangshan, adjacent to the Nangpu Economic and Technological Development Zone to the east, bordering Tianjin to the west, and covering a total area of 120 square kilometers. It faces the Bohai Sea to the south, with the Douhe River, Xipai Drainage Channel, and Shahe River flowing into the sea near Jianhe Village and Heiyanzi Village respectively. The town boasts a 23.5-kilometer coastline and governs nine administrative villages, with a total population of 20,000. It is the only coastal township in the district and also a major fishing hub focused on both marine capture and brackish-water aquaculture. The shallow-water cockle farming area reaches 221,700 mu, making it a signature industry for the town. The protected geographical indication area for Black Yanzi Cockles includes the following coordinates: A: 118°03’20” E, 39°05’03” N; B: 118°11’25” E, 39°08’59” N; C: 118°08’29” E, 39°11’39” N; D: 118°04’12” E, 39°13’00” N; E: 118°04’08” E, 39°13’40” N; F: 118°02’07” E, 39°13’40” N; G: 118°00’32” E, 39°05’03” N. The total protected area spans 14,781 hectares.