Chinese and foreigners release fingerlings into sea under a public welfare project [Photo/Qingdao Today]

With an investment of 723 million yuan, Qingdao has developed a total of 5,890 hectares of marine ranches, including 10 commercial ones and one public welfare project.

Five of them have been rated as national demonstration sites, and two as provincial leisure sea-fishing bases.

It has been three years since its first marine ranch became operational. In past few years Qingdao has ramped up fishery resources restoration works.

Increased numbers of fingerlings have been released, with a total capital input of 180 million yuan. Fingerlings of competitive species such as prawns, flounders, and mullets, were released to crucial areas such as Jiaozhou Bay, Aoshan Bay and Laoshan Bay.

Stock enhancement efforts, combined with construction of artificial reefs, have quickly improved aquatic ecological environment and revived fishery resources.

Forty companies and 700 residents donated fingerlings worth a total 2.77 million yuan over the last three years.

It is predicted that by 2020 Qingdao’s marine ranches will reach 9,000 hectares.