Jellyfish production hub spreads its tentacles

Editor's Note: In a series of reports titled "Claims to Fame", China Daily looks at how some regions have earned wealth and recognition through specific products to realize the goal of development.

Feared by some for its ghostly appearance and toxic tentacles, and loved by others as a tasty treat, the jellyfish is generating currents of wealth for a city in Northeast China.

Fishermen in Yingkou, Liaoning province, have conquered concerns about the marine creature's toxic tentacles and frightening image to bring it to a growing number of dinner tables in China and overseas.

"When we go fishing we wear leather suits and leather gloves," said Wang Mingke, a fisherman from Yuye village, Bayuquan district, Yingkou, who has caught jellyfish for about 30 years. "Upon returning, we unload the jellyfish using the water tank on the boat. Protective measures are taken throughout the process."

Wang said he's not concerned about the threat of jellyfish stings that leave lacerations on a victim's skin, but are mostly nonlethal to humans.

"In case of a sting, I apply alum (an astringent that draws out fluids) to the affected skin and then rinse it with clean water. Generally speaking, we fishermen don't usually have big problems at sea," he said.