Business · Energy & Commodities · 13 hrs ago
China’s marine aquaculture output topped 20 million tonnes in first nine months
China produced 20.3 million tonnes of farmed seafood from the sea in the first three quarters of 2026, up 5.8% from a year earlier.
In Weihai, Shandong, fishers are growing seaweed and shellfish at different depths, a method designed to raise seafood while storing carbon.
The seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide, while shellfish retain carbon in their shells.
The approach has expanded locally to 100,000 mu of sea area, and its operator says earnings are more than 30% higher than with traditional extensive farming.
Weihai is also offering carbon-related loans and insurance to help marine businesses use expected carbon income to access funding and manage risk.
New equipment is helping fish farming overcome limits from water temperature and location.
The “Guoxin 2” fish-farming vessel can keep its salmon tanks below 15°C in summer by drawing water from 40 to 50 metres deep, while land-based systems are enabling some southern fish species to be raised in northern China.
China’s marine aquaculture output reached 20.297 million tonnes in the first three quarters of this year, up 5.8% from a year earlier.
Total aquatic product output was 53.897 million tonnes over the same period, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
The report described ecological farming and updated equipment as drivers of growth in marine aquaculture.
Examples included a 100,000-mu integrated farming area in Weihai, Shandong, and a vessel designed to keep salmon-farming water below 15°C in summer.
- Who
- China’s marine aquaculture sector.
- What
- Output reached 20.297 million tonnes, an increase of 5.8% year on year.
- When
- The first three quarters of this year; the report was published on October 31, 2026.
- Where
- China.
- Why
- The report points to ecological farming and updated aquaculture equipment as drivers of growth.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
China’s marine aquaculture output reached 20.297 million tonnes, up 5.8% year on year.
China News Service published its report on marine aquaculture output and developments in farming.
- Marine aquaculture output
- 20.297 million tonnes in the first three quarters
- Year-on-year growth
- 5.8%
- Total aquatic product output
- 53.897 million tonnes in the first three quarters
- Integrated farming area
- 100,000 mu in Weihai, Shandong
- Salmon vessel water temperature
- Below 15°C in summer
1 source
What people are saying
The promotion of the three-dimensional ecological model has increased the ranch’s overall returns by more than 30% compared with traditional extensive farming.
In the past, marine enterprises needed to pledge factory buildings and equipment to obtain funds; now they can use the expected proceeds from carbon sinks to obtain loans, and carbon sink insurance can provide a safety net.
When surface water temperatures are above 20°C, the water temperature in the vessel’s tanks can still reach 14.5°C, mainly by drawing seawater from depths of 40 to 50 metres.