Abundant marine aquatic resources

1. Fish

There are more than 1500 species of marine fish in the South China Sea, most of which are distributed in Nansha Islands, and many species have extremely high economic value. Mainly Spanish mackerel, grouper, red snapper, bonito, hairtail, nod fish, eel, sardine, large yellow croaker, ray, pomfret, silver pomfret, tuna, shark and so on. In particular, Spanish mackerel, grouper, tuna, black pomfret and silver pomfret are the main species caught in the open sea with high yield. Nansha Islands is rich in fish resources, excellent in quality, and rich in rare marine fish in other waters of China. Such as tuna and shark. Fish is one of the main sources of protein, and protein is an animal for human consumption. At present, 15% of the animal protein consumed by the world population comes from the ocean. Fish is also an important raw material for medicine, chemical industry and special handicrafts.

2. sea turtles

Turtle is one of the few reptiles in the ocean. There are different kinds of turtles, which are generally called "green turtles". Nansha Islands in China, located in tropical and subtropical waters, is the "hometown" of turtles. From April to August every year, a large number of turtles enter the South China Sea with the warm current from the adjacent waters, mate on the islands and reefs of Nansha Islands, and climb the beach to lay eggs. Turtle eggs naturally hatch into baby turtles by the temperature of the beach. Adult sea turtles are about one meter long and weigh about 100-200 kg. High economic value, edible meat and eggs, delicious taste and rich nutrition. Tortoise shell can be made into tortoise shell glue, which is a supplement with high nutrition. Tortoise claw, turtle blood, turtle oil and turtle viscera can all be used as medicine, which has certain curative effects on diseases such as kidney deficiency, lung medicine, gastric bleeding and liver cirrhosis. For a long time, soft-shelled turtle is one of the main specialties in Nansha Islands, with an annual output of over 2,000. Since 1980s, China has listed sea turtles as key protected marine animals and prohibited fishing. Turtles have been well protected, and the number of reproduction and migration has increased dramatically. Many turtles are still trapped in the islands and reefs for the winter.

There is also a very precious species among sea turtles, that is, tortoise shells. Its shape is similar to that of a "green turtle" because it has thirteen scales on its back, commonly known as "thirteen scales". Scales are fine in texture and beautiful in pattern. Bright luster, most suitable for making precious decorations.

3. sea cucumber

Sea cucumber belongs to echinoderms in tropical waters. Its nutritional value is the same as shark's fin and bird's nest. This is a precious seafood. There are many kinds of sea cucumbers. About 40 species of sea cucumbers are edible in the world, but 20 species are produced in Nansha Islands. Nansha Islands is famous for its variety, wide distribution, large ginseng and excellent quality. Among them, white milk ginseng, black milk ginseng and plum ginseng are the most precious. Plum-blossom ginseng, the king of ginseng, is a famous large edible sea cucumber. The largest is more than one meter long and weighs twenty or thirty kilograms. After processed into dry products, the meat is thick and crisp, and it is not only delicious but also nutritious and nourishing when stewed.

4. Marine shellfish

Shells are mollusks, and there are many kinds. There are about 250 species in Nansha Islands. According to the use, it can be divided into edible shellfish and ornamental shellfish. The output of edible shellfish is large, such as horseshoe snail, hedge snail, historical clam and so on. Horseshoe snail, also known as "male snail", is an important economic shellfish, which is widely distributed, easy to catch, high in yield and plump in meat. Hedgerow snails also produce a considerable amount, distributed in shallow reefs and beaches. People can easily get it and make it into dry products, which are excellent in meat taste and nutrition. The "best shell" is dragonfly, also known as "car", commonly known as "midge" and "giant midge", which is as big as a pot and weighs hundreds of pounds. The big one is the best, and the meat is delicious, which is already a good product. Its adductor muscle (commonly known as "clam tendon") is the best in marine natural food. When eating, it is very fresh to tear into thin threads, a little bit in the mouth. The price per kilogram is nearly 1000 yuan.

Ornamental shellfish is another important "local product" in Nansha Islands. There are many varieties, different shapes, bright colors and dazzling colors, which are not only for viewing, but also important raw materials for making precious handicrafts. Tiger-spotted shellfish, Tangguan snail, eyeball shellfish and spider pearl snail are all among the treasures. Many shells are rare animals and have been listed as natural resources protection objects.

5. Other seafood

There are mainly mollusks, crustaceans and algae. In addition to the shellfish mentioned above, there are squid, cuttlefish and octopus. Crustacean crabs, lobsters and so on. These are the main seafood in Nansha Islands. Tropical seaweed resources are also extremely rich, which is one of the main producing areas in China. The economic value is high: agar, eucheuma, Sargassum, laver and so on.