Dalian Purple Sea Urchin

Dalian Purple Sea Urchin

Dalian purple sea urchin is a product with geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Dalian purple sea urchin is an extremely delicious seafood that has become a renowned delicacy at banquets. It is produced in Dalian, Lüshun, Ocean Island, and the Greater and Lesser Changshan Islands. Commonly known as "ciguozi," the entire sea urchin resembles a curled-up hedgehog. Purple sea urchins live in shallow waters or on reefs, mostly inhabiting areas from the intertidal zone down to 180 meters deep. The edible part of the sea urchin is its gonads, commonly called sea urchin roe. The roe can be stir-fried or cooked with eggs and meat. Sea urchins can also be processed into salted sea urchins and sea urchin paste, both of which are premium tonic foods.

　　The waters where Dalian purple sea urchins are found naturally grow abundant seaweed such as kelp and wakame, providing ample food sources for the sea urchins. The suitable seawater temperature and salinity ensure the quality of the sea urchins. The appropriate water depth, seabed conditions, and high water transparency offer an optimal ecological environment. These favorable conditions not only contribute to the unique quality of Dalian purple sea urchins but also promote the significant development of their cultivation and farming industry. Dalian purple sea urchins are marine organisms with high edible and medicinal value. They are premium seafood delicacies that can be eaten raw or processed into chilled sea urchins, alcoholic sea urchins, and sea urchin paste. They are also valuable nutritional tonics and traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients. China has long recorded the medicinal benefits of sea urchins. The ancient text "Ben Cao Yuan Shi" states that sea urchins can “treat heart pain.” Modern traditional Chinese medicine believes that sea urchins have a salty and mild nature, with effects such as softening hardness, dissipating nodules, resolving phlegm, and reducing swelling. The shell of the sea urchin, known medicinally as "sea urchin shell," can treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as otitis media. In addition, sea urchin shells can be made into handicrafts. The coastal areas of Dalian are currently the main production region for Dalian purple sea urchins in China, accounting for over 90% of the national output of similar products.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Dalian purple sea urchins are mainly distributed across 6 districts, 3 county-level cities, and 1 county within the administrative region of Dalian City, Liaoning Province. These include: Zhongshan District, Xigang District, Shahekou District, Ganjingzi District, Jinzhou District, Lüshunkou District, Pulandian City, Wafangdian City, Zhuanghe City, and Changhai County. The geographical coordinates are between 120°58' to 123°31' east longitude and 38°43' to 40°12' north latitude. The total production area of Dalian purple sea urchins is approximately 224,000 hectares.