The kelp harvest season recently began in Rongcheng, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province. 

Rongcheng is the country's largest kelp producing base, with its kelp aquaculture area reaching 9,266 hectares, ranking first in China. Its average annual production of kelp accounts for 80 percent of the province's total and more than 40 percent of the country's total.

Rongcheng in Shandong province is the country's largest kelp producing base. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fishermen are busy harvesting kelp in Rongcheng, Shandong province on March 24. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fishermen in Rongcheng, Shandong province usher in the kelp harvest season. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An aerial photo shows the kelp harvest season in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fishermen work on the sea to harvest kelp in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The kelp harvest season enters its peak period in Rongcheng, Shandong province. [Photo by Li Xinjun/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]