Zhanjiang city, nestled in south China’s Guangdong Province, has been actively nurturing its marine fishery sector, crafting a contemporary industrial chain for marine breeding. With an extensive sea area spanning 20,500 square kilometers, Zhanjiang leverages its natural advantages to transform its vast sea waters into a thriving “blue granary.” The cultivation of shrimp fingerlings has emerged as a significant contributor to income generation through aquaculture development.

Precision in Shrimp Fingerling Breeding

The meticulous breeding of shrimp fingerlings demands stringent adherence to lighting, water temperature, and feed conditions. According to Hu Yicheng, a technician at a mariculture base in Zhanjiang, even the slightest error can result in the failure of an entire pond of shrimp fingerlings.

Mo Juejun, Vice President of Guangdong Evergreen Conglomerate Co. Ltd. (Evergreen), highlights the challenges faced in developing deep-sea and far-sea aquaculture due to the scarcity of high-quality shrimp fingerling resources in China. To surmount these hurdles, Mo emphasizes the necessity of improving existing varieties or independently developing new ones and mastering associated technologies.

Breakthroughs in Shrimp Breeding

After nearly a decade of dedicated efforts, a breakthrough was achieved with the development of a new disease-resistant white-leg shrimp variety. Certified as the first of its kind in China, this variety, pioneered through collaboration between Evergreen and Sun Yat-sen University, fills a crucial gap in independent breeding efforts. Notably, it exhibits significantly higher disease resistance and survival rates compared to imported counterparts.

Driven by the white-leg shrimp industry, Zhanjiang is rapidly evolving into a national hub for aquatic fingerling production. In 2023 alone, the city produced over 160 billion white-leg shrimp fingerlings, with a substantial portion of China’s white-leg shrimp originating from Zhanjiang. This surge in production has propelled Zhanjiang’s aquatic product output to impressive levels, further cementing its stature in the industry.

Technological Advancements and Expansion

Technological advancements have facilitated the expansion of white-leg shrimp farming beyond traditional coastal regions. Regions like Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Gansu Province have embraced large-scale shrimp farming, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between technological innovation, economic prosperity, and ecological sustainability.

Zhanjiang remains committed to cultivating a comprehensive industrial chain for modern marine ranching. Initiatives such as the introduction of intelligent aquaculture platforms and the establishment of big data centers signify a concerted effort towards modernization and integration within the sector. These endeavors are poised to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability in marine aquaculture practices.