Shandong's marine ranches at provincial level and above numbered 55 in 2017, including 21 at the national level that were one third of the country's total, according to statements by the Shandong government at a press conference on Aug 9, 2018.

The income of Shandong's marine ranches topped 210 billion yuan ($30.61 billion) last year, ranking first in the country.

A marine ranch is a sea area that aims to increase fishery resources and enhance the environment by rearing fish and shellfish under artificially controlled conditions. 

The reefs installed in sea ranches can greatly restrict bottom trawling and restore maritime ecosystems. It is estimated that the production capability of reef-building areas has risen by 64 percent and the marine life population increased by a factor of 5.3. The marine ranch has become a new engine for Shandong's marine economic growth, boosting the rapid development of marine food, tourism, equipment and informatization.

Meanwhile, the marine ranch industry plays a key role in promoting Shandong's domestic demand. Now Shandong's sea ranches are focused on fishing, artificial-reef building, bottom-dwelling shellfish planting, seafood planting and fish-farming with modern technologies and equipment. The total consumption driven by sea fishing activities is about 53 times the value of the fish. From 2014 to 2017, revenue of provincial sea-fishing demonstration bases in the province showed an annual upsurge of 210 percent.

Shandong, with adjacent sea areas of 159,500 square kilometers, boasts the richest ocean resources in China. With few typhoons, the province also enjoys a unique advantage in the sea ranch industry.

The income of Shandong's marine ranches tops 210 billion yuan ($30.61 billion) in 2017, ranking first in the country. [Photo/dzwww.com]

A marine ecological base in Weihai, Shandong province. [Photo/dzwww.com]

One of the national marine ranching demonstration areas in Shandong. [Photo/dzwww.com]