In the heart of tech innovations and breakthroughs, sometimes what’s old becomes new again – with a twist. We’re diving deep into a unique trend rising in China, offering a blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology.
Autumn isn’t just for apples and pumpkins anymore. Forget soil-grown crops; let’s delve into land-based seafood cultivation in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Xinjiang’s aquaculture is garnering significant attention this season, particularly with growing public concerns over Japan’s nuclear-contaminated water affecting marine life. With these concerns heightening, Xinjiang’s under-the-radar seafood enterprise has emerged as a promising substitute, satiating the demand for aqua products grown in safer conditions.
From salmons to lobsters, Xinjiang offers a feast of seafood, cultivated locally with a touch of unconventionality.
One might wonder, how is seafood farmed in a region known for its aridness?
Xinjiang, despite its dry reputation, boasts of a myriad of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The cherry on top? Pristine meltwater from the Tianshan Mountains.
Utilizing this high-quality meltwater, imported fish eggs are nurtured in specially designed environments. These sustainable breeding enclosures not only combat harsh weather conditions but also ensure zero contamination into the local water bodies.
Enhancing this system further, underwater robotic assistants equipped with advanced imaging capabilities ensure that these breeding spaces remain pristine.
Another intriguing method involves acclimatizing young crayfish or shrimp to freshwater surroundings. Starting in brackish pools, the water’s salinity is gradually reduced over ten days, preparing these creatures for a purely freshwater habitat, maintained at around 25°C.
Local aquafarmer Zhou Jingsen vouched for the suitability of Aksu’s water for white shrimp farming during a chat with China Media Group.
The reinvention of inland aquafarming is not only delivering quality seafood but also proving a boon for local economies. In 2022 alone, Xinjiang’s fishery output surged to an impressive 4.2 billion yuan ($575.8 million), marking a substantial increase since 2019. Moreover, Xinjiang fishermen now enjoy incomes surpassing the average local rural earnings.
Emulating Xinjiang’s success, regions like Qinghai Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia, and Henan Province are also exploring the potential of saline-alkali lands for similar aquafarming practices.
So, the next time you’re relishing some seafood in China, know that it might have been raised on land, blending age-old practices with the latest tech.
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