The output value of Shandong province's fishery sector reached 412.32 billion yuan ($62.26 billion) last year, accounting for 15.6 percent of the national total, said local authorities.

The province's total output of aquatic products reached 8.23 million tons in 2019, accounting for 12.7 percent of the country's total, while the disposable income of local fishermen totaled 23,000 yuan, 2,413 yuan higher than the national average.

According to local officials, Shandong has 15 State-level aquatic breeding farms, ranking first in the country.

The province is also home to 11 modern fishing industry demonstration farms and 80 aquatic breeding farms at or above provincial level.

A modern marine ranch complex in Yantai, Shandong province has opened to tourists. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Shandong has been ramping up efforts to promote the development of modern marine ranching in a bid to build a stronger marine economy with cutting-edge technology and outstanding marine ecosystems.

A marine ranch is a particular sea area in which fishermen adapt large-scale fishery facilities and systematic management systems to utilize the natural marine environment to raise marine resources including fish, shrimp, shellfish and algae.

The process has often been compared to grazing herds of animals on a farm.

The province is now home to 48 modern marine ranch complexes, and most of them are multifunctional platforms for fishing and recreation, plus scientific and technological research and development.

The marine ranch platform has facilitated the development of Shandong's fisheries economy. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]