China Overseas Chinese Network January 13th telegram: Attention overseas Chinese!
Picking up abalone, fishing lobster, eating crab meat... Be careful to be punished to the point of doubting your life
Crispy abalone slices, soft and tender abalone pillars, rich abalone liver... The sweetness that abalone cannot hide continues to open up the boundaries of taste, and is deeply loved by the majority of diners.
However, you may not know that in foreign countries, there are relevant regulations for the fishing and consumption of abalone, lobster, crab and other seafood. If you are not careful, you may touch the legal red line, ranging from fines to prosecution, and the consequences are unimaginable!
The picture shows abalone produced locally in Lianjiang, Fujian.
Photo by Li Nanxuan
South African abalone is internationally renowned for its large size and high quality, but due to a large number of illegal mining and smuggling activities, the number has plummeted and it is on the verge of extinction.
Based on the relevant regulations of the South African government: only those who hold an abalone fishing license issued by the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries can legally fish for abalone.
Anyone who illegally fishes, transports, processes, or possesses abalone could face jail time.
According to the website of the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town, South Africa, in recent years, a number of Chinese citizens have been arrested and jailed for engaging in illegal transactions such as abalone.
At the same time, there is clear evidence that such citizens have become the main targets of local kidnapping gangs and face extremely high security risks. If they are unfortunately kidnapped, they will suffer huge economic losses and even endanger their personal safety.
According to media reports, before South Africa's abalone "catch ban", there were many Chinese tour groups to Cape Town, South Africa, and there was always a "live abalone" activity in the itinerary.
This kind of "catch the sea" behavior is generally that the tour guide takes the group members to the beach to catch abalone, and after catching it, it is brought back to the hotel and boiled in white water to eat.
However, after the "catch ban", according to the regulations, the abalone caught by the sea must be released, otherwise it is an illegal act.
In New Zealand, whether it is illegally catching seafood, illegally selling seafood, or buying seafood through the black market, it is a serious offense.
Those who illegally fish and sell abalone face up to five years in prison and a fine of not more than 250,000 yuan (New Zealand dollars, the same below).
A Chinese man was sentenced to a fine of 2,000 yuan and legal costs of 390 yuan for overfishing 48 abalone.
According to the current law in New Zealand, each person can only catch 10 abalones per day, and each abalone must be measured in the water with a measuring tape, which cannot be estimated directly with the naked eye. , and different regions have clear requirements for fishing tools, fishing closure areas and restricted areas.
The picture shows the chef sharing an exclusive abalone recipe.
Photo by Li Nanxuan
In addition to abalone, there are regulations for catching rock lobster in New Zealand.
Recreational lobster fishing is legal, with a limit of 6 per person per day. The size needs to meet certain requirements. Too small cannot be caught. Female lobsters with eggs must be released into the sea, and any fishing cage cannot be placed in the water for more than 24 hours.
For commercial fishing, the New Zealand government adopts a quota system to manage, and the annual quota is approved according to the results of monitoring the lobster population.
The laws and regulations of each country are different, Chinese foodies remember not to "step on thunder"!
For example, in China, crab meat is tender and delicious, and it has become the "protagonist" of the autumn table.
In order to eat crabs, Suzhou people created a unique crab-eating tool "Eight Crabs" in the Ming Dynasty. From crab roe, crab paste, crab meat to crab legs, you can slowly enjoy the tongue-tip enjoyment brought by crabs.
The picture shows the villagers holding up the salvaged crayfish.
Photo by Yang Huafeng
However, in Florida, the United States, there is a unique crab that can only eat crab claws. If someone eats a whole one, it will lead to prison.
This is the Florida Stone Crab.
The crab is very small and has almost no meat. In view of the fact that its huge crab claws can be regenerated, the US government has banned the fishing of whole crabs for sustainable fishing!
It must be caught in trap-type cages, and only the claws of adult male crabs can be caught, and the claws must be 7 cm (2.75 inches) long to be broken off as a catch before the crabs are released.
Xiaoqiao reminds the majority of Chinese people that they must be familiar with the relevant regulations, do not take chances, and touch the legal red line in order to satisfy their appetites, so as not to regret it!
To catch seafood legally, keep the following points in mind:
Find out whether local laws require a valid license (license) to legally catch seafood, and apply for the certificate in time.
Check the Internet to check the local government's restrictions on fishing time and species.
It is a good idea to carry weighing and measuring tools when you go out to sea to ensure that the quantity and size of seafood caught does not exceed legal limits.
(Source of the manuscript: China Overseas Chinese Network WeChat Official Account; ID: qiaowangzhongguo; Source: The Beijing News, The Paper, Global Network, Chinanews, etc.; Author: Jin Xu)