The beginning of China’s longest-ever annual moratorium on in-shore fishing is leading to a jump in prices at one of the country’s largest seafood markets.
Staff at the Da Gu Nan Lu wholesale market in Tianjin report a doubling in shrimp price this week as the ban – which lasts from 1 May to 1 September – kicked in. Shrimp has risen from CNY 25 (USD 3.62, EUR 3.33) per 500g to CNY 50 (USD 7.23, EUR 6.65) per 500g in half a month, according to the tank manager at the market, speaking to Tianjin Ri Bao, a local daily newspaper. Salt water crabs have jumped by an average CNY 30 (USD 4.34, EUR 3.99) in price in the same period, said the manager.
Supply is being maintained with frozen imports and freshwater aquaculture product. Previously the ban had started on 1 June, but chronic overfishing of its territorial waters has led Chinese officials to extend the ban.
