Sihong hairy crabs

Sihong hairy crabs

Sihong hairy crabs are a protected geographical indication product.

Sihong hairy crabs are a certified geographical indication trademark.

Sihong hairy crabs are a designated geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Sihong boasts abundant resources and superior ecology. It has 2.19 million mu of arable land, 1.66 million mu of water area, and jurisdiction over 40% of the water surface of the "gold-yielding" Hongze Lake, with a shoreline stretching 165 kilometers and 500,000 mu of developable tidal flats. It is home to the provincial-level Hongze Lake Wetland Nature Reserve and Asia’s largest genetic resource bank of black poplar trees, earning it titles such as China’s Crab Hometown, one of the top 100 aquatic product counties in China, an ecological demonstration county, a commodity grain base county, and an advanced county in plains afforestation. The three renowned liquors—Shuang’gou, Fenjinting, and Shuangyang—enjoy widespread fame, while specialty products like the Jinshui-branded Hongze Lake hairy crabs and the Xianyuan-branded pollution-free rice are bestsellers nationwide. The region also holds underground mineral resources such as quartz sand, diamonds, iron-manganese ore, and natural mineral water.

　　Sihong County is located on the western shore of Hongze Lake, in the lower reaches of the Huai River. The county boasts a total water area of 1.66 million mu, including 1.11 million mu of Hongze Lake water surface, accounting for about 40% of the lake’s total area, and a 165-kilometer shoreline. This wealth of aquatic resources holds immense development potential. As early as 1994, Sihong was recognized as one of the "Top 100 Counties in National Aquatic Product Output," and in 1995, it was designated by national authorities as "China’s Crab Hometown." In recent years, the Sihong County Party Committee and County Government have leveraged their unique aquatic resource and geographic advantages, setting strategic goals for the aquaculture industry to develop toward standardization, modernization, high efficiency, and recreational fishing. Technologies such as large-specification commercial crab farming, crayfish ecological breeding, soft-shelled turtle seedling factory cultivation, and crab-perch co-cultivation have been promoted and implemented. Currently, ten major demonstration bases have been established: 1) A leisure fishery base centered around the Mudun Island Holiday Resort and the Hongze Lake Wetland Ecological Water Scenic Garden; 2) A standardized fishpond renovation demonstration base primarily led by the Jinshui Group Farming Base; 3) A turtle and soft-shelled turtle farming base focused on Ban Cheng and Linhuai; 4) A cage farming base primarily in Shuang’gou and Sihe; 5) A Hongze Lake net enclosure farming base mainly in lakeside towns such as Ban Cheng and Linhuai; 6) An aquatic product processing and export base led by Suqian Nanjing Aquatic Products, Ban Cheng Hengrui, and Linhuai Lvkang; 7) A high-quality large-specification crab farming base primarily by the Jinshui Group and Linhuai; 8) A native and improved crayfish seed base centered in Longji and Ban Cheng; 9) A seed breeding base mainly operated by the Jinshui Group Seed Breeding Center; 10) A river clam enhancement and farming base in areas such as Longji Shangzui and Linhuai Waikoumen waters.

　　In 2010, the county’s total aquaculture area reached 345,000 mu, including 143,700 mu of pond farming, 151,000 mu of net enclosure farming, 11,000 mu of reservoirs, 20,500 mu of streams and ditches, and 19,000 mu of other types. The total aquatic product output was 94,600 tons, comprising 21,000 tons from fishing and 73,600 tons from farming. The total fisheries output value was 2.71 billion yuan, an increase of 210 million yuan compared to 2009. In 2010, the county exported 370 tons of crabs, ranking first in the province for five consecutive years. That year, Sihong was honored as an "Advanced County in Modern Fisheries Construction in the Province."

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographical area for Hongze Lake hairy crabs includes the distribution range of the crab-producing regions: extending 1–5 km into the center of Hongze Lake from 12 townships—Ban Cheng and Longji in Sihong County, Zhong Yang in Sucheng District, Lu Ji, Gao Du, and Pei Wei in Siyang County, Han Qiao and Zhao Ji in Huai’an’s Huaiyin District, Xi Shun He in Hongze County, Guan Zhen, Bao Ji, and Guan Tan in Xuyi County. This area covers waters from Shengshan Lake and the eastern and southern extensions from the mouth of the Gu Shan River into the lake to Gao Du Zui, then southward to Zhang Fu He, and from the eastern mouth of the Lao Sui He River into the lake to Le Dong Wa, as well as the Guan Bao waters. The distribution spans between 118°14′59″–118°52′03″ east longitude and 33°04′23″–33°38′08″ north latitude, covering an area of 14,800 hectares.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Features: "Hongze Lake hairy crabs" are characterized by their greenish back, white belly, golden claws, yellow fuzz, long legs, and robust build. Their carapace is mostly bluish-gray with a glossy sheen; the carapace tubercles are distinct, and the "H"-shaped pattern is clear. The plastron is milky white with a slight red tint. The legs are covered with bright yellow fuzz, and the second segment of the second walking leg is 1.2–1.25 times the length of the penultimate segment. When steamed, the crab roe is delicious, the meat is tender and smooth, with a sweet aftertaste, and the aroma is rich and briny. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: "Hongze Lake hairy crabs" are highly nutritious, being a high-protein, low-fat food. The crude protein content ranges from 11.38% to 13.3%, and the crude fat content ranges from 0.61% to 0.81%. The gonad index for male crabs is 3.13%–3.30%, and for females, it is 2.97%–2.98%. The meat yield is 35.16%–35.68% for males and 34.01%–34.06% for females. The crabs are rich in selenium, with levels in the meat ranging from 184.5 to 263.75 μg/kg. The crab meat contains a wide variety and high levels of protein amino acids, including aspartic acid (0.72–0.95 g/100g), glycine (0.40–0.49 g/100g), tyrosine (0.23–0.27 g/100g), with a total of 17 protein amino acids ranging from 7.34 to 9.23 g/100g. 3. Safety Requirements: The farming environment and water meet the standards of NY5361, "Environmental Conditions for Pollution-Free Freshwater Aquaculture Production Areas." The quality of Hongze Lake hairy crabs complies with GB18406.4, "Safety Quality Requirements for Pollution-Free Aquatic Products."