Fishing season opens in the waters off Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo by Bao Hua/Fuzhou Daily]

The three-and-a-half-month summer fishing moratorium in Fujian province ended on Aug 16, sending fishing boats out to sea in search of seafood, with fresh catches set to hit markets along the coast.

Dishes featuring large yellow croakers. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Large yellow croakers

Large yellow croakers are among Fujian's signature seafood products. Known for their golden color and tender flesh, the fish is sometimes called China's "national fish". Sandu'ao Port in Ningde, with its natural harbor, is considered the birthplace of large yellow croaker farming in China. Fujian produces more than 85 percent of China's large yellow croaker fry and more than 200,000 metric tons of farmed large yellow croakers annually.

Abalone

Fujian accounts for 80 percent of China's annual abalone output. Coastal areas, including Fuzhou's Lianjiang county, Putian's Nanri Island, and Zhangzhou's Dongshan Island, each have their own abalone specialties. Lianjiang abalone was included in the national list of quality and specialty agricultural products in 2026.

Razor clams

Razor clams are a summer staple in Fujian. Those from Duotou village in Putian are hailed by food lovers as the "king of razor clams", while those from Meihua town in Fuzhou are also well regarded for their firm texture and rich flavor.

Eels

Fujian is a major eel farming and export base in China, accounting for more than 60 percent of national eel exports. Fuzhou's Changle district is the country's largest eel farming base, while its roasted eel production ranks first worldwide.