According to a list issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs recently, two marine ranches in Qingdao have been included in the seventh batch of national-level marine ranch demonstration areas, and both are located in Qingdao West Coast New Area (WCNA).

The total number of national-level marine ranch demonstration areas in the WCNA has reached 14 with a total area of 6,630 hectares, and accounts for nearly 10 percent of the national total, which makes it the largest cluster in China.

The two new national demonstration areas include the aquatic products supply and marketing demonstration area in Lingshan Bay and the Jingwu national marine ranch demonstration area in Zhaitang Island with sea areas of 420 hectares and 305 hectares, respectively.

A marine ranch is an artificial fish farm that is set up in a specific area of the sea to promote fishery resources.

As a national-level new area focusing on the marine economy, the WCNA leads the way in the exploration and construction of marine ranches and has a total of 23 ranches spanning 7,600 hectares.

Liu Yuangang, senior engineer of the Ocean Development Bureau of Qingdao WCNA, said that the two approved demonstration areas can not only contribute to restoring the marine ecology in the area, but also providing high-end aquatic product supplies, expanding the fishery industry chain, and promoting the development of recreational fisheries.

The Qingdao WCNA is aiming to construct 13 to 15 national-level marine ranch demonstration areas, and reach a marine output valued at 1.4 billion yuan ($220.72 million) by 2025.

A marine ranch demonstration area facility in the Qingdao West Coast New Area [Photo/qingdaonew.com]