In Rongcheng, Weihai, East China's Shandong province, roughly 300 million farm-raised abalone from the Ailunwan marine ranch have been shipped to Fujian province to overwinter.

Abalone growth is highly sensitive to water temperature. For years, Rongcheng has partnered with cities in Fujian to transport stocks north in the summer and south in the winter. This seasonal "shuttle ranching" keeps the abalone within their optimal temperature range year-round, boosting survival rates to over 90 percent and significantly accelerating growth.

In 2024, Rongcheng produced 33,900 metric tons of abalone, accounting for 86 percent of Shandong's output and 13.5 percent of China's total.

Farmers in Rongcheng collect abalone from the marine ranch. [Photo/Dazhong Daily]