Penholder Fish Maw

Penholder Fish Maw

Penholder Fish Maw is a protected geographical indication product.

Penholder Fish Maw is a certified geographical indication trademark.

　　No such fish or "Penholder Fish Maw" exists in other waters of the Yangtze River. A local folk legend says: Beneath Penholder Mountain lies an underwater palace inhabited by a fish king. Every fish that comes to worship him is rewarded with a large fish maw shaped like Penholder Mountain. Fish maw, also known as "fish glue," is an animal gelatin or gelatine made from the scales, skin, bones, and swim bladders of fish. Large yellow croaker maw and similar types are directly dried to make fish glue. Aside from being used as industrial raw materials, the edible kind is called "fish maw." Shishou Penholder Fish Maw is a premium food product made from the swim bladders of fish caught in the Shishou section of the Yangtze River. The fish, known as the "Penholder Fish," is relatively large, about one meter in length, typically weighing seven to eight jin (3.5–4 kg), with some reaching over twenty jin (10+ kg). Its back is grayish-white, and its belly is white.

　　The fish has no scales, and its meat is tender, delicious, fine-textured, and has few bones, making it suitable for preparing a variety of tasty fish dishes. The swim bladder is large, thick, and nutrient-rich. Its shape and the red patterns embedded within resemble the Penholder Mountain standing by the Yangtze Riverbank, hence the name "Penholder Fish Maw." Penholder Fish Maw has an exquisite appearance, with a white color tinged with green, and is crystal-clear and lovely. Well-dried fish maw looks like jade carving. Typically, one fish maw weighs around 0.2 jin (100 g), with larger ones reaching up to 0.5 jin (250 g). Master chefs can use Penholder Fish Maw to prepare various delicacies such as "Chicken Mince Fish Maw," "Shrimp Fish Maw," "Sea Cucumber Fish Maw," and "Braised Fish Maw," all of which are delicious and highly nutritious.

　　The administrative regions currently under the jurisdiction of 14 towns, townships, and development zones in Shishou City, Hubei Province: Xinchan Town, Henggou Market Town, Xiaohekou Town, Dongsheng Town, Diaoguan Town, Taohuashan Town, Gaojimiao Town, Tuanshansi Town, Gaoling Town, Nankou Town, Jiuhéyuán Township, Swan Island Economic Development Zone, Xiulin Office, and Penholder Mountain Office.