A vendor holds up freshly caught yellow croaker at Hongxinglu market. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Seafood is plentiful and prices have steadied in Chongchuan district in Nantong, as fishing boats return to port after the summer fishing moratorium, bringing in seasonal catches in large quantities.

At Hongxinglu market in the district, the seafood section has become a bustling hub, with freshly landed catches laid out and shoppers crowding in to choose their picks.

Besides swimming crab, stalls are filled with plenty of other seafood. Golden hook shrimp are piled high at several stalls, while locally caught hairtail gleams on crushed ice. Yellow croaker, pomfret, and other inshore fish also draw much interest from shoppers.

One of the vendors there said business is usually the most brisk before 8 am, with the seafood typically selling out within two hours of being made available. Regulars buy it by the basket and some even call the night before to order, the vendor added.