Aquatic products are a vital source of high-quality animal protein and play a crucial role in human nutrition. Over the past three decades, China’s fishery industry has seen rapid development, reaching a production of approximately 71.16 million tonnes of aquatic products in 2023. This milestone solidifies China as the world’s largest producer of aquatic products.
However, the surge in the fishery industry has led to saturation in inland lakes, ponds, and coastal areas, with marine fishing resources nearing depletion. Facing increasing environmental and resource pressures, China is turning its focus towards expanding the space for fishery production through the development of the marine ranching industry. This shift is significant in ensuring national food security and promoting human well-being.
In 2017, China completed the world’s first large-scale deep-sea aquaculture platform, known as “Ocean Farm 1,” located off the coast of Norway. Extending marine aquaculture to depths of 300 meters, the platform caused a global sensation upon its debut. The innovative concept behind Norwegian fisheries captured the attention of the Chinese government, inspiring new initiatives.
By 2019, ten ministries jointly issued the “Several Opinions on Accelerating the Green Development of the Aquaculture Industry,” marking the first official support for green deep-sea aquaculture development. This directive encouraged the construction of large-scale, intelligent deep-sea aquaculture platforms.
In June 2023, eight ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, released the “Opinions on Accelerating the Development of Deep-sea Aquaculture.” This policy outlined the key tasks for expediting the development of deep-sea aquaculture across the entire industry chain, emphasizing critical fields and essential links in its advancement.
Further solidifying this commitment, the State Council issued the white paper titled “Development of China’s Distant-Water Fisheries” in October 2023. The document comprehensively introduces China’s development concepts, principles, positions, policy propositions, and achievements in distant-water fisheries.
China’s strategic move towards deep-sea aquaculture represents a significant step in addressing the challenges of resource depletion and environmental pressures. By embracing innovative technologies and sustainable practices, China aims to enhance its food security and contribute to the well-being of its population, while setting a precedent for responsible marine resource management globally.
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Promoting the building of an ocean community of shared future
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