Sanya's ocean farming thrives, boosting local marine ecology

The Xinhuan-1 — the largest semi-submersible smart ocean farming platform in China — quietly anchored on Aug 14 in Sanya Bay.

The massive platform is neatly organized with nursery ponds and farming zones, where 500,000 speckled blue grouper fish (Epinephelus cyanopodus) and fourfinger threadfins (Eleutheronema tetradactylum) swim freely about.

"We use a large-volume natural seawater circulation system to closely mimic the natural growth environment of fish. This approach balances aquaculture productivity with marine ecological sustainability," said Li Xihuan, chief project manager of the Xinhuan-1.

The platform practices rotational harvesting, catching larger fish while allowing smaller ones to grow — balancing production efficiency with the marine area's capacity.

Thanks to its unique tropical marine resources, Sanya plans to develop a modern marine complex that combines ecological conservation, fish production and tourism experiences. The city is fully committed to both marine ecological restoration and exploring new methods of deep-sea aquaculture, as it tries to transform the sea into one that is rich in fish and vibrant coral.

China's largest semi-submersible smart ocean farming platform, the Xinhuan-1, operates in the waters of Sanya Bay. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

The waters surrounding Wuzhizhou Island are recognized as a national tropical marine ranch. Over the past decade, the Wuzhizhou Island tourism zone has restored over 68,000 coral colonies and rehabilitated 61,000 square meters of marine area.

The live coral coverage has increased from less than 15 percent to 37.08 percent. What was once a barren, rocky seabed is now a thriving coral forest — bustling with fish and frequented by sea turtles and dolphins.

"Growing coral is all about patience. Underwater work is tough and long-term care is key," said Wang Fengguo, manager of the Marine Department at the Wuzhizhou Island tourism zone.

Over the years, he and his team have dived regularly to clear away invasive species and remove abandoned fishing nets, carefully nurturing each coral seedling. Many visitors dive into the water to plant some coral themselves, turning ocean conservation into an immersive experience.

Sanya is committed to its ecological aquaculture — strictly controlling wastewater from farming to ensure that aquaculture production and marine habitat protection thrive together.

New ventures like recreational fishing, marine sightseeing and ocean science education are also flourishing. Traditional fishermen are being transformed into marine conservationists and tourism professionals, safeguarding the pristine ocean while making a living from it.