Aquaculture fuels rural jobs and ocean revival in Haiwei town

Haiwei town in Changjiang Li autonomous county, Hainan province, recently released 10 million golden pompano fry into the nearby waters as part of its shift from traditional fishing to tech-driven deep-sea aquaculture.

Leading the effort is Hainan Changjiang Yuandao Aquaculture. Since launching in 2016, the company has invested over 200 million yuan ($27.9 million) to establish a deep-sea farming operation that now has an annual output value exceeding 100 million yuan.

"This year, we've increased our fry deployment from 10 million to 15 million, and expect an annual yield of around 160 million yuan," said Lin Luzhuang, head of the company's farming base. "The local marine environment is excellent. Its clean waters and favorable conditions mean higher survival rates and better-tasting fish."

The base integrates smart agriculture technology, including 5G, big data, and cloud computing, to ensure ecological, high-yield, and high-efficiency production. Over 40 local fishers have been hired, with operations following a cooperative model that links companies, co-ops, and fishers, contributing to rural vitalization and employment.

The company plans to develop marine tourism ventures, such as sea angling and sightseeing tours, to capitalize on nearby attractions, like Qizi Bay and Haiwei Port.

Changjiang's marine overhaul includes infrastructure upgrades and ecological restoration. The aging Changhua Port is being rebuilt to serve 600 vessels, while 760 artificial reefs have been deployed in Qizi Bay to revive marine habitats.

To strengthen seed innovation, Changjiang has established the Minben Marine Germplasm Institute. New species like seahorses, red shrimps, and Dungeness crabs are already under cultivation.

The county has approved over 1,600 hectares for deep-sea aquaculture and shellfish farming, allowing enterprises to start operations quickly and supporting sustainable marine development.

"We're working to establish Changjiang as a hub for high-quality aquatic seed breeding," said Wen Taoli, director of the county's fisheries office. "With new partnerships and modern marine ranching models, we're writing a new chapter in Hainan's ocean economy."