China has invested heavily in marine ranching, aiming to restore its depleted coastal fisheries. Since 2015, the country has constructed 169 national demonstration ranches, including Genghai No. 1, a unique offshore facility that combines tourism with marine conservation. These ranches have laid 67 million cubic meters of artificial reefs and planted seagrass over an area the size of Manhattan. They’ve also released at least 167 billion juvenile fish and shellfish into the ocean.
The initiative is part of a broader ecological civilization agenda, with an initial investment of $1.8 billion. By 2025, China plans to release 30 billion juvenile fish and shellfish annually. Despite these efforts, the effectiveness of marine ranching remains under scrutiny. Only 87% of the first $1 billion investment went towards constructing artificial reefs, with 5% spent on seagrass and seaweed restoration.
The government has set ambitious goals, planning to increase the number of pilot ranches from 200 to 350 by 2035, with each new ranch backed by $28 million. However, the lack of comprehensive data and the need for more sustainable practices pose challenges. Innovations like 3D-printed habitats and AI-equipped systems are being tested to enhance the ecological and economic benefits of these ranches.
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