A multifunctional intelligent ecological marine ranch platform begins operation in Yantai, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province on July 10. [Photo/sdnews.com]

A multifunctional intelligent ecological marine ranch platform has begun operating in Yantai, a coastal city in East China's Shandong province, and welcomed its first batch of visitors on July 10. It is the first of its kind in China.

The intelligent platform makes use of artificial intelligence, clean energy, 5G communications, big data, and underwater patrol robots and is also equipped with an automatic system for environmental monitoring, feeding, and ship collision prevention.

It aims to serve as a comprehensive marine ranch platform for fishing, recreation, scientific and technological research and development, and marine education.

Visitors can experience fishing, eat seafood, enjoy coastal scenery, and watch science videos there. It is capable of receiving 50,000 tourists every year.

The platform will explore automatic intelligent and ecological breeding and produce up to 75,000 kilograms of fish per year.

The intelligent platform also plays a key role in promoting the development of marine ranching in Yantai.