WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2024 23 of aquaculture development, green and healthy practices have become the guiding direction for growth. In this context, fishery professionals work hard to develop integrated technological solutions, commercialize emerging technologies, and upgrade conventional technologies. Meanwhile, measures have been taken to promote the integrated development of primary, secondary and tertiary industries, and develop new types of business. By doing so, China has created a number of new modes of modern aquaculture models that are both replicable and scalable in different regions. Centered around the new concept of “green aquaculture,” China has innovatively integrated a range of ecological and healthy aquaculture technologies and models, including recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), large offshore cages, aquaculture vessels, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, aquaponics, rice-fish integrated farming, comprehensive treatment of aquaculture effluents, and the replacement of juvenile wild fish as feed by formulated feed. These innovations have given rise to various ecologically sustainable and integrated fisheries models, such as fish farming for eutrophication reversal in Chagan Lake and Qiandao Lake, fish ranching in many lakes and reservoirs, the “Carp Brook” system in Fujian Province, recreational fishing in Inner Mongolia, fish farming in saline-alkaline water in Gansu and Shandong Provinces, ricecrayfish systems in Hubei Province, and Hani rice-fish systems in Yunnan Province. In addition, China has reduced both diseases and drug use through various measures, including selective breeding, place-of-origin quarantine for juveniles, disease monitoring and forecasting, communications on drug use, drug reduction campaigns, oversight of inputs and drug residue surveillance. Aquaculture as a Key Driver for Poverty Reduction and Income Growth Aquaculture has become a key driver of economic growth and a major source of income for farmers and fishermen in some rural areas of China. It has made crucial contributions to China’s economic restructuring, employment, income growth of farmers and fishermen, and the success in the fight against poverty. From 1978 to 2023, the share of fishery production in agricultural GDP rose from 1.6% to 10.2%, while the number of people employed in aquaculture increased by 8.54-fold to 4.442 million. Alleviating Pressure on Wild Fisheries and Supporting Carbon Neutrality and Emission Peak Goals The development of aquaculture in China has completely transformed the reliance on capture fisheries for aquatic products, significantly easing the pressure on wild fishery resources. In China, aquaculture production is four times greater than that of capture fisheries. In farming practices, biological communities and the marine environment work together as carbon sinks. It is estimated that more than 46% of China’s aquaculture production, including marine shellfish, seaweed and freshwater filter feeders, plays an active role in achieving the country’s carbon neutrality and peak emission goals. Innovative Development Models in China’s Aquaculture In developing aquaculture, China has adopted a systemic and holistic approach, placing great emphasis on maintaining balance between the industry and its external environment, as well as among the various stages within the industry. Since entering a new stage (CONTINUED ON PAGE 24)
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