An aerial view of the Zhoushan Sea-crossing Bridge. [Photo/www.wifizs.cn]

More than 2,000 licensed fishing vessels set out from Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province on Aug 5, marking the return of wild swimming crabs. Their arrival sparked strong demand from diners and boosted summer tourism.

A vessel unloaded 25,000 kilograms of freshly caught crabs on Aug 16, which were swiftly moved to waiting trucks for distribution. Wholesale prices, initially 2,000 to 3,000 yuan (about $278 to $417) per basket at the start of the season, dropped to 500 to 600 yuan per basket as supply increased. Top-grade crabs now sell for 50 to 70 yuan per half kg, while lower grades sell for 20 to 40 yuan per half kg, attracting both wholesalers and tourists.

The abundant harvest has also fueled online sales. Daily ecommerce turnover in Zhoushan International Aquatic City exceeded 4 million yuan, with most orders from the Yangtze River Delta region.

Logistics companies report a sharp rise in parcel volumes, with daily shipments climbing from 30,000 to over 50,000. Cold-chain delivery now offers same-day or next-day service to nearly 170 cities.

Tourism and dining are also thriving. During peak weekends, vehicle counts across Zhoushan Sea-crossing Bridge exceeded 140,000. Seafood stalls and restaurants reported near-capacity business, with swimming crab dishes priced around 168 yuan per half kg becoming top choices. Guesthouses in Zhujiajian report weekend bookings sold out, with room rates up 30 percent from July.