Bào Ngư (Abalone) Bạch Long Vĩ
The farthest island in Việt Nam’s Tonkin Gulf is Bạch Long Vĩ, which is located in the northern part of Hai Phong city. The island’s shape on the map resembles the tail of a dragon, hence the name Bạch Long Vĩ.
Bạch Long Vĩ offers a wide variety of seafood, but abalone here is the most well-known in the region and around the country. The island now has an abalone breeding centre, which focuses on abalone research and commercialization.
Abalone is found primarily in cold waters in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Japan, and the west coast of North America. In Việt Nam abalone can be found on the islands of Hoàng Sa, Hoang Sa, Côn Đảo, Cát Bà, An Phú, Qui Nhơn, Cô Tô, Phú Quốc, and other islands in Khánh Hòa province, however the area of Bạch Long Vĩ island has the largest density.
There are two primary types of abalone fished and exploited in the area surrounding Bạch Long Vĩ island: rock abalone and nine-hole abalone. Nine-hole abalone resides on the seabed, while rock abalone thrives on reefs. However, in Bạch Long Vĩ, the nine-hole abalone, also known as the “nine giant” snail, appears to be the most popular.
Abalone lives along the coast when they are young, but as they become mature, they go further out and plunge deeper into the seabed. Seaweed and organic debris are the primary foods of abalone. Abalone fertilizes and reproduces during the hot season, possibly laying millions of eggs every year. Reproductive organs will be temporarily halted during the cold season.
Abalone fishing is done quickly and decisively; fishermen will dive deep into the sea, following the reefs, and when they see abalone, they will use iron hooks to delicately hook into the abalone’s mouth and then lightly pluck it. The abalone will shrink and release on its own. In addition to abalone flesh, the shell and intestines of abalone can be used to create a variety of healthful recipes that are well-liked by both locals and Chinese nationals.
