Qi Li Hai River Crab

Qi Li Hai River Crab

The Qi Li Hai River Crab is a protected geographical indication product.

The Qi Li Hai River Crab is a protected geographical indication certification trademark.

　　　   The Qi Li Hai River Crab, scientifically known as the Chinese Mitten Crab, gets its name from the Qi Li Hai water area where it is cultivated.

　　  The Qi Li Hai River Crab is a specialty of Ninghe and was once as renowned as "silver fish" and "reed grass," collectively referred to by locals as the “Three Treasures of Qi Li Hai.” During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was an imperial tribute and has enjoyed a prestigious reputation throughout history. In 2002, it was named a Tianjin Municipal Famous Agricultural Product.

　　  The Qi Li Hai River Crab is delicious, nutritious, high in protein, and low in fat, making it highly popular. It has become an indispensable dish on dining tables during festivals or when entertaining guests.

　　  Ninghe County currently has 13,000 mu of river crab farming area. In 2003, the total annual production of river crabs was 350 tons, including 50 tons of juvenile crabs. Qi Li Hai juvenile crabs are uniform in size, robust in constitution, adaptable, and have a high survival rate in farming. Products are sold to Shanghai, Jiangsu, Hubei, Guangdong, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, and other provinces and cities, achieving full sales.

　　  In recent years, a new form of leisure fishing — river crab angling — has flourished. Tourists visit in groups during holidays to fish for river crabs at Qi Li Hai. The pleasant natural environment and fresh, delicious crabs leave visitors lingering and reluctant to leave.

　　  Efforts are made to store river crabs and release them out of season, allowing consumers to enjoy fresh and delicious crabs even during the Spring Festival.

　　  Active development of deep processing of river crab products includes the “Lu Mei Brand” drunken crab and marinated crab produced by the Ninghe County Aquatic Technology Extension Station’s Drunken Crab Processing Factory. These products are delicious and excellent as side dishes, often leaving people wanting more after just one taste. Visitors are welcome to give them a try. The annual processing capacity for drunken crabs and marinated crabs is 10,000 jars.

　　  Qi Li Hai River Crabs, juvenile crabs, drunken crabs, and marinated crabs are all in ample supply. Orders are welcome.

　　  The protected geographical indication product area for Qi Li Hai River Crabs is defined according to the scope proposed in the “Letter on Delimiting the Origin Area of the ‘Qi Li Hai River Crab’ Geographical Indication Product in Ninghe County” (Ninghe Zheng Han [2006] No. 28) issued by Ninghe County, Tianjin. This includes the current administrative regions of 14 towns and townships under Ninghe County, Tianjin: Lutai Town, Dabei Town, Qi Li Hai Town, Beihuadian Township, Biaokou Township, Zaojiacheng Town, Panzhuang Town, Ninghe Town, Lianzhuang Township, Miaozhuang Town, Fengtai Town, Yuelong Town, Banqiao Town, and Dongjituotuo Town.