2018 Shazikou Mackerel Festival kicks off

The opening ceremony of the 2018 Mackerel Festival was held at the Shazikou National Central Fishing Port in Qingdao, Shandong province on April 13.

Traditional Chinese performance at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Mackerel Festival held in Shazikou, Qingdao, Shandong Province on April 13. [Photo by Liudong/dailyqd.com]

Known as "one of the ten most nutritious marine fish", Spanish mackerel with its tasty meat is rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamin A and minerals. The fish is quite popular in Qingdao as in local tradition, people give the fish as presents to the elderly to express their filial piety.

This year's first shipload of Spanish mackerel was sent to the centenarians in the community and the elderly in the nursing home of Laoshan district by the Shazikou sub-district.

Fishermen show Spanish mackerel at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Mackerel Festival held in Shazikou, Qingdao, Shandong Province on April 13. [Photo/Sdchina.com]    

Thousands of tons of Spanish mackerel are caught in Shazikou every year, accounting for more than 70 percent of the entire sales volume of the Qingdao market. Therefore, Shazikou has a reputation as the "Town of Mackerel". Mackerel dumplings, mackerel fish balls, smoked mackerel and braised mackerel have all become famous Shazikou foods.

A fishmonger introduces Spanish mackerel to customers in Shazikou, Qingdao, Shandong Province on April 13. [Photo by Liudong/dailyqd.com]   

The Shazikou Mackerel Festival is included in the list of Qingdao intangible cultural heritages. To better protect it, activities like the "Mackerel Food Festival" and "Etiquette of Mackerel", have been held since 2005, and help to promote Shazikou as the famous "Town of Filial Piety".