Xiapu County, nestled along Fujian Province's coastline, is living up to its reputation as China's 'Seaweed Capital' as its sprawling 350,000-mu 'sea garden' transforms into a hub of maritime productivity. Thousands of fishermen and aquaculture workers are harvesting kelp in a seasonal ritual blending tradition with economic ambition.
Fresh data reveals the 2024 harvest has yielded over 1.6 million tonnes of kelp, valued at 3.5 billion yuan ($480 million), marking a 12% year-on-year increase. This marine bounty supports nearly 50,000 direct jobs and indirectly sustains livelihoods for 30% of the county's population, many of whom hail from rural coastal communities.
'This kelp isn't just a crop—it's our golden ticket to modernization,' shared Lin Wei, a third-generation seaweed farmer. His sentiment echoes local government reports highlighting the industry's role in reducing poverty and funding infrastructure projects through ecological aquaculture practices.
Analysts note Xiapu's success stems from strategic marine zoning policies and partnerships with food processing giants like Haixin Group, which converts 40% of the harvest into value-added products exported to Japan and Southeast Asia. Environmental safeguards have maintained water quality across 98% of cultivation zones, according to provincial audits.
As sunset gilds the seaweed-draped rafts, Xiapu's maritime renaissance offers lessons in balancing resource utilization with sustainability—a model gaining attention from coastal regions globally.
