FUZHOU Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- According to Fujian Provincial Department of Ocean and Fisheries, the year 2020 witnessed one more stride Fujian has made in transforming and updating its marine industry. While the marine resources and environment conditions have been improved, the annual gross marine product is expected to reach around 1.15 trillion yuan, ranking the 3rd nationwide. The total yield of aquatic product and the per capita net income for fishermen have increased 1.94% and 5.27% year-on-year, respectively.

With Fujian known as a major province for its fishery industry, its gross marine product maintained an annual growth rate of more than 10 percent in the thirteenth “Five-Year Plan" period and topped 1 trillion yuan for the first time in 2018. The output value of the whole industry chain for 10 major cultured species has already passed 100 billion yuan.

According to resources, Fujian has updated or renovated 160,000 aquaculture cages, over 400 anti-stormy waves cages and aquaculture facilities for shellfish and algae covering 5000 mu. The culture area beyond the planning range has been removed, accumulated to 22,900 hectares.

“We will promote the development of our fishery industry on a high-quality and high-efficiency basis, mainly by leveraging the strengths of processing industry, leisure industry and relevant brands,” an official from Fujian Provincial Department of Ocean and Fisheries said. This year, the high-quality development of ocean and fishery industry will be boosted in all aspects and the province’s gross marine product is estimated to increase by around 8%.

(Source: Xinhua; Translation: the Secretariat)