China - September 24, 2024

Intelligent "blue farm" leads China's marine economy shift

(Voice_over)

Welcome to the future of marine aquaculture: a semi-submersible breeding platform floating just off the coast of Zhuhai.

Named Gesheng No.1, this deep-sea platform is the size of seven basketball courts, and as tall as a five-story building when fully afloat.

With 30,000 cubic meters of aquaculture space, it’s turned the open sea into a highly productive "blue farm".

(Sound_bite)

Sheng Hao, Project Technical Manager, Gesheng No. 1:

"Traditional offshore breeding is tough because it requires daily trips with a ship, a crane, and a full crew. This platform serves as a sea base, offering ample space for people and supplies while cutting costs significantly. It can even support nearby fisheries, and there's a big market for these platforms."

(Voice_over)

Nearshore fish-farming often concentrate waste and parasites, hurting coastal ecosystems.

But platforms further out in the ocean, where currents are stronger and waters deeper - produce sustainable protein while protecting wild fish stocks.

And big data analysis is helping companies to make smarter decisions.

(Sound_bite)

Sheng Hao, Project Technical Manager, Gesheng No. 1:

"We're in the initial phase of building a smart fishery system. By collecting data on factors like pH levels, chlorophyll, water temperature and flow rate, we can identify the ideal fish species and most effective feed. Underwater surveillance monitors fish behavior, allowing us to optimize feeding times."

(Stand_up)

Huang Fei, Reporter:

"This platform isn’t just growing food - it’s also generating electricity. Gesheng No. 1 runs entirely on a 24-hour solar panel system. And with plans to collaborate with offshore wind companies, it could soon feed clean energy into the wider green power grid."

(Voice_over)

As China's marine economy becomes more high-end, intelligent and sustainable, platforms like these are transforming regional economies.

Coastal cities once reliant on ports, fishing, and shipbuilding are now embracing the full potential of marine science and technology, including offshore energy, seawater desalination, advanced materials and biomedicine.

The potential - like the ocean - is limitless.

[Restriction: No access Chinese mainland]