Lushun Ark Shell

Lushun Ark Shell

Lushun Ark Shell is a product with geographical indication status.

　　Also known as blood clam or giant ark shell, it belongs to the class Bivalvia and the family Arcidae. The shell is large, thick, and sturdy, with both left and right valves being equal,

　　presenting an obliquely ovate shape that is highly inflated. The umbo is prominently inflated and protruding, with wide, smooth, and largely unnotched radial ribs — typically around 42–48 ribs, most commonly 43. The outer shell surface is white with sparse brown fuzz; the inner surface is white, with a straight hinge and approximately 70 hinge teeth. It is mainly distributed along the coasts of China, Japan, and Korea, inhabiting soft mud or sandy-mud seabeds at depths of 20–35 meters. Its strong byssus allows it to attach to rocks or dead shells. It lacks a siphon and after burrowing, only the posterior part remains exposed above the seabed. The giant ark shell is a cold-water bivalve, thriving in water temperatures of 5–15°C. Its flesh is delicious and rich in nutrients, making it ideal for fresh consumption.

　　Nutritional Analysis of Ark Shell:

　　Among molluscan shellfish, there is a compound called delta-7-sterol and 24-methylene cholesterol, which helps lower serum cholesterol levels. These compounds uniquely suppress cholesterol synthesis in the liver and accelerate its excretion, thereby reducing overall body cholesterol levels. Their efficacy surpasses that of common cholesterol-lowering drugs such as sitosterol. After eating shellfish, people often experience a refreshing and pleasant sensation, which can undoubtedly help alleviate certain discomforts.

　　Lushun Ark Shell

　　Geographic Scope

　　Lushunkou District is located at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, spanning both the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, with its southern, western, and northern sides surrounded by sea. Its total coastline measures 158.50 kilometers. The southernmost point of Lushunkou’s maritime area is at latitude 38° 49' 13.97" N, longitude 121° 20' 22.07" E, while the northernmost point is at latitude 38° 58' 9.95" N, longitude 121° 16' 29.71" E. The specific range extends from the sea area of Tahe Bay in the south, through Bailanzi Bay, Moon Bay, Dongtuozi Bay, Xihu Zui Bay, Aizikou Bay, and Beihai Bay, up to the vicinity of Dachao Kou Bay in the north. Among these, the sea areas of Bailanzi, Dongtuozi, Aizikou, and Beihai serve as the primary breeding, farming, and protected bases for Lushun Ark Shell.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The Lushun Ark Shell has a large, obliquely ovate, thick, and sturdy shell, typically measuring 80–104 mm in length and 62–85 mm in height, with larger specimens reaching up to 122 mm in length and 102 mm in height. The two valves are hinged together, with the left valve slightly larger than the right. The shell is highly inflated, with the umbo protruding and curving inward, slightly exceeding the hinge surface. The dorsal sides are slightly obtuse-angled, and both the anterior and ventral edges are rounded, while the posterior edge is truncated. The outer shell surface is white with brown velvety periostracum, and some rib grooves appear dark brown. The inner surface is grayish-white, with hairy margins and serrated edges. The hinge is straight, with 60–70 hinge teeth — the middle ones being small and upright, gradually becoming larger and sloping outward toward the ends. The radial ribs are wide, smooth, and neatly arranged, with no obvious nodules, numbering about 41–48, most commonly 43–44, and growth lines are clearly visible. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: The flesh of Lushun Ark Shell is tender, red-hued, delicious, and rich in nutrition, and is easily absorbed by the human body. It offers medicinal benefits such as enriching blood, warming the middle energizer, and strengthening the stomach. According to tests conducted by the National Aquatic Products Quality Supervision and Inspection Center under the Ministry of Agriculture, fresh samples contain 11.2%–15.9% protein, 0.45%–0.5% fat, 0.88%–0.90% aspartic acid, 0.41%–0.44% threonine, 0.62%–0.65% serine, 0.66%–0.70% glutamic acid, 0.82%–0.86% alanine, 0.95%–0.98% lysine, and 0.85%–0.89% arginine. 3. Safety Requirements: During production, Lushun Ark Shell must strictly establish a traceable product quality system. In terms of hygiene and safety, it must comply with the standards set forth in GB2733-2005 “Hygienic Standard for Fresh and Frozen Animal Aquatic Products.”