Wang Yi: Spearhead of China’s Marine Agriculture

Wang Yi briefs Chen Lianzeng, deputy chief of the State Oceanic Administration, on his marine farming system.

Hi-tech Marine Ranch

For many insiders, Wang’s blueprint for marine agriculture is capable of cracking two conundrums: low-efficiency traditional fishing practices, and growing demand for quality foods. “The change in human production from hunting to raising livestock increased productivity 20-fold.” Wang thus explains his logic of “change is the only way out.”

Wang’s engineering of a marine ranching system consists of three sub-systems of a marine ecological environment, marine bio-system and mariculture, with modern bioengineering technologies at the core. By incorporating prevailing concepts of green growth, such as a low-carbon and circular economy, into his innovative undertaking, Wang’s project forms an amazing circular system.

Wang first sought to develop a sound ecological environment for his marine ranch, involving seabed fish shelters, coves, shoal and smooth sea flows, as well as infrastructure for natural or artificial tidal movements, various beneficial bacterial flora and beds, and light sources able to penetrate deep into the sea. Then came the cultivation system of the marine ranch. On the one hand, his aim is to develop a suitable environment for fish; on the other, he is planning to build an offshore fishing port, in an attempt to improve productivity and the survival rate of fish in a large-scale marine ranch. In addition, flume transportation equipment is to be used for live fish, to guarantee that catches stay alive after delivery to their destination.

The onshore further cultivation, processing and distribution center of the marine ranch will be equipped with a closed cultivation pool system with circulating water. It receives fish through flumes, sorts aqua products by different varieties and types, and further breeds them before sending them into the distribution network.