China’s aquaculture industry is undergoing a quiet transformation, as traditional fish farming gives way to data-driven production powered by scenario-based innovation under the 15th Five-Year Plan.

In Guangdong Province, advanced technologies are being integrated directly into real-world operations, making fisheries more precise, efficient and resilient. A standout example is the offshore deep-sea platform “Gesheng No.1” in Zhuhai. This 86-metre semi-submersible structure, designed to remain stable in rough seas, holds 30,000 cubic metres of water and doubles as a floating laboratory for new technologies.

Smart systems are at the heart of this shift. Compact sonar devices can monitor fish schools within a 100-metre range, enabling real-time tracking and automated feeding. Underwater cameras and high-pressure cleaners now maintain net cages remotely, reducing the need for risky diving, while innovative harvesting machines use gentle suction methods to preserve fish quality.

Together, these advances are moving aquaculture beyond experience-based practices towards a smarter, standardised and modern industry.