China plays a leading role in aquaculture. For several decades now, China has been the world's leading producer and exporter of farmed aquatic products, including fish, crustaceans and molluscs. The growth of aquaculture in China is linked to major economic, food and cultural issues, against a backdrop of demographic pressure and the transformation of agricultural systems. In this article, we analyse the importance of this sector, its recent developments, its methods and the challenges it faces today.
1. Context and importance of aquaculture in China
1.1. Economic and food weight
- World's first production China: China produces more than half of the world's aquaculture supply. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), around 60 % of the world's farmed fish comes from the country.
- Role in food safety With a population of around 1.4 billion, China has to meet a growing demand for animal protein, a significant proportion of which comes from seafood or freshwater products.
- Strategic sector Aquaculture makes a major contribution to the national economy, generating jobs (several million people work in the sector) and fuelling China's foreign trade.
1.2 Tradition and local consumption
- Historical roots Fish farming has been an integral part of Chinese culture since ancient times. Fish, a symbol of abundance and prosperity, is a staple of traditional cuisine.
- A strong taste for seafood products Crustaceans (prawns, crabs), molluscs (oysters, clams) and various fish (carp, tilapia) are very much a part of Chinese cuisine. Rising living standards have made these products even more attractive.
2. The main systems and species raised
2.1. Freshwater aquaculture
- Dominant species Carp (silver carp, grass carp, common carp), tilapia and freshwater prawns make up a large proportion of Chinese inland water fish farming.
- Traditional methods For centuries, Chinese farmers have often combined fish farming with rice cultivation (rizipisciculture): the fish feed the fields with their faeces, while the water in the rice fields keeps them oxygenated.
2.2. Coastal and marine aquaculture
- Shellfish The Chinese coast is home to a number of shrimp, oyster, clam and scallop farms.
- Marine fish : Some farms specialise in sea bass, sea bream or cod.
- Modern technologies The development of floating cages on the high seas and closed-circuit recirculation (CCR) systems is spreading to optimise production, reduce environmental impact and diversify supply.
2.3. Integrated farms and mixed farming
- Operating mixed systems It is not uncommon to see several species living together in the same pond (polyculture), each occupying a different ecological niche (e.g. herbivorous carp, carnivorous carp, filter-feeding molluscs).
- Recycling resources Waste from one species can be used as food for another, thereby limiting the use of external inputs and pollutant discharges.
3. Technological advances and modernisation
3.1 Genetic selection and strain improvement
To maintain the competitiveness of production, genetic selection programmes aim to :
- Accelerated growth Choice of faster-growing, more resistant individuals.
- Resilience to disease Research into strains that are less vulnerable to pathogens, reducing the use of antibiotics.
- Adaptation to climate and salinity : Responding better to regional variations and environmental changes.
3.2. Digitalisation and automation
- Real-time monitoring Sensors measure water quality (temperature, oxygen levels), detect any pollution and transmit this data to the farmers.
- Robots and drones To feed the fish, inspect the cages or monitor the state of the infrastructure, particularly in large marine farms.
- E-commerce E-commerce platforms, which have a strong presence in China, enable aquaculture products to be sold directly to urban consumers.
4. Environmental and health challenges
4.1. Pollution and degradation of ecosystems
- Effluent discharges Some intensive livestock farms can generate organic and chemical spills (uneaten food, excrement, medicines), leading to eutrophication of the water.
- Destruction of coastal areas The expansion of marine farms (shrimp, fish) has sometimes led to the deforestation of mangroves, impacting local biodiversity.
4.2 Diseases and overuse of antibiotics
- Vulnerability of intensive livestock farms High densities encourage the rapid spread of pathogens (viruses, parasites).
- Risks to human health Overuse of antibiotics can lead to problems of microbial resistance, hence the importance of developing more sustainable practices (vaccination, bio-security).
4.3 Management of fishery resources
- Fish feed Fishmeal and fish oil, often derived from industrial fishing, are a global issue. Innovations are focusing on the use of plant proteins (soya, algaeinsects) to limit the pressure on the oceans.
- Reconciliation with wild fisheries Aquaculture must not exacerbate the over-exploitation of marine stocks, but rather help to reduce dependence on extractive fishing.
5. Public policy and outlook
5.1. Reforms and the regulatory framework
- National strategies The Chinese government is encouraging the development of aquaculture, with the emphasis on greener, more environmentally-friendly production (five-year programmes).
- Health checks Stricter standards are gradually being introduced, notably on the use of antibiotics, traceability and water quality.
5.2. Towards sustainable production and international cooperation
- Research and cooperation : China is working with international institutions (FAO, research centres) to improve the sustainability of its agriculture. aquacultureto share its expertise with other countries and meet the challenges of global food security.
- Innovation and diversification China: Chinese companies are investing in offshore infrastructure (deep-sea cages), cutting-edge technologies and integrated aquaculture projects (combining seaweed, shellfish and fish farming) to close nutrient cycles. Discover China more in depth
Conclusion
Aquaculture in China is a strategic pillar of the country's economy and food security. Backed by a long tradition and enriched by modern know-how and technologies, it has achieved a dominant position on the world market. However, the environmental, health and regulatory challenges remain significant, as China seeks to combine economic growth, public health and ecological preservation. The reforms underway, the modernisation of farms and international cooperation all point to a move towards increasingly reasoned aquaculture, capable of keeping China in pole position while meeting the imperatives of sustainability and quality.
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