Yesterday, Pingtan's first fishing boats gradually returned laden to port after the fishing season opened, and the first net of fresh catch came ashore, attracting many residents and tourists to shop. In the early morning, small fishing and light-fishing boats that finished their first round of fishing docked one after another. After three and a half months of rest, marine resources are rich and the catch is diverse hairtail, squid, Spanish mackerel and more. Many residents, tourists and fresh-produce vendors waited on the shore; as soon as a boat docked, they stepped forward to pick and buy fresh seafood, and the wharf buzzed with excitement.
Beyond rushing the 'fresh' at the wharf, more residents chose to shop at the market. At Pingtan's urban aquatic-products market, stalls were stacked with just-arrived fresh catch silvery hairtail, plump squid, full pomfret and the market roared with business. Mr. Ding bought several kinds at once. 'This year's first haul has many varieties, each fresh; I'll buy more while it's just on the market to take home for the family.'
The hot atmosphere of the opening season has also become a new check-in spot for visitors to Pingtan. At the wharf and market, tourists picking seafood are everywhere. 'This time we planned ahead and came to the Pingtan aquatic-products market to pick seafood. We'll buy several kinds and cook them ourselves where we stay,' said tourist Ms. Shen.
It is now the early stage of the fishing season; more boats will return in coming days, and the supply at the experimental zone's seafood markets will keep climbing with richer varieties, continuously meeting the consumption needs of residents and tourists.
