5. Shellfish

Dandong has 5.25 million mu (350,000 hectares) of marine territory, 1.06 million mu (70,000 hectares) of that about 0-10m deep, and 500,000 mu (33,300 hectares) of that suitable for shellfish aquaculture. It also has 363,000 mu (24,200 hectares) of tidal flats, 188,000 mu (12,500 hectares) of which is suitable for raising shellfish.

The Yalu River and the Dayang River enter the sea at Dandong, where the bottom is flat, the mud-sand ratio moderate, and organisms abundant. This is an ideal place for the growing shellfish, and Dandong’s have a good reputation for their color, size, taste and fatness, and are popular at home and abroad.

The city has 41 species of saltwater shellfish, and, through years of development, has reached an industrial scale in its shellfish aquaculture. By the end of 2000, the city had 591,000 mu (39,400 hectares) in shellfish aquaculture and 78,000 tons of output, bringing 459 million yuan in sales. Currently, the city has 80 shellfish producers, more than 30 processors and sellers, and an annual processing capacity of more than 50,000 tons. Shellfish aquaculture is a leading part of the fishing industry in Dandong.