June 20, 2024

 

Shangdong, China fish farm cuts seawater use by 80% using advanced technologies

 

A fish farm in Changyi, Shandong province, China, is adopting cutting-edge technologies such as filtering systems and bioreactors to minimise water use, China Daily reported.

 

The farm in Xiaying township has successfully reduced its seawater needs by approximately 80% with these advanced technologies, according to Changyi Haijingzhou Biotechnology Co, the farm's owner. The organic waste generated during the recycling process is repurposed to raise rag worms, an important fish feed, the company added.

 

Changyi has also implemented a smart feeding system to automate the precise delivery of feed to the fish at specific intervals, thereby reducing the dependency on manual labor.

 

Liu Xinpeng, the farm's manager, highlighted that these innovations have created a demand for a younger and more educated workforce. "Over 90% of employees now are those in their 20s and early 30s," he said.

 

The farm is the poster child for a local initiative aimed at modernising the fish farming industry to increase production and reduce pollution.

 

Guo Kaikai, an official from Changyi's Marine Industry Development Center, said the initiative has secured over ¥80 million (US$11 million) in funding from higher authorities in the past three years to revamp the industry, with ¥2 million (US$275,644) earmarked to subsidise Changyi's wastewater recycling system.

 

"The initiative's focus is on upgrading facilities, promoting sustainable practices and improving the efficiency and quality of fish production," he said.

 

The Changyi fish farm is also releasing commercial fish, shrimp and crabs into the sea to aid the recovery of wild species and strengthen the oceanic food chain. Guo said over ¥60 million (US$8.3 million) has been allocated for this initiative since 2019, resulting in the release of 2.4 billion such creatures.

 

According to third-party analysis, every ¥100 (US$13.78) invested in this endeavor can generate approximately  ¥1,700 (US$234.30) in financial return.

 

- China Daily