The city of Dongying, located on the coast of the Bohai Sea – in East China's Shandong province – is rapidly emerging as a leader in the modern fisheries sector through innovation, ecological stewardship and integrated development.

The city is strategically positioning itself as a key player in the Bohai Rim fisheries economy, with a strong focus on sustainability and high-efficiency production.

In the first quarter of 2025, Dongying produced 64,500 metric tons of aquatic products, a year-on-year increase of 3.82 percent.

The growth is said to reflect the city's commitment to developing a full-spectrum aquatic industry, from seed breeding and smart farming to processing and branding.

A driving force behind the progress is the city's investment in new productive forces and advanced technologies.

On former saline-alkali land, Dongying has cultivated new salt-tolerant species of shrimps and sea cucumbers, supported by 22 hatcheries and large-scale breeding programs.

Leading businesses have rolled out intelligent systems such as AI-powered monitoring robots and automated feeding platforms - significantly reducing labor while enhancing precision and yield.

At the same time, Dongying has strengthened its commitment to marine ecological protection. The city has implemented strict pollution controls, seasonal fishing bans and large-scale restocking programs.

In April 2025, some 100,000 native crab juveniles were released into the Yellow River Delta to restore biodiversity and reinforce the reputation of the local special hairy crab, now a nationally recognized brand.

By integrating innovation with environmental responsibility, Dongying is not only improving production and quality in its aquatic sector but is also setting a model for sustainable marine economic development in China.

An overhead view of a standardized aquaculture pond for Yellow River estuary hairy crabs in Dongying. [Photo/Dongying News Website]