The 2026 Fisheries Development and Cooperation Meeting was held in Qingdao on Oct 27, bringing together industry representatives, researchers, and experts to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the global fisheries sector.

Held ahead of the 29th China Fisheries & Seafood Expo, the meeting focused on innovation and collaboration across fishing, processing, trade, finance, quality testing, and digital services, with participants exploring ways to better connect global seafood suppliers with the Chinese market and expand cooperation across the fisheries sector.

Ye Shaohua, chairman of CNFC Overseas Fisheries Co, said industry competition increasingly depends on the strength of entire supply chains rather than fishing capacity alone.

He noted that geopolitical tensions, extreme weather, stricter fisheries resource management, and shifting trade conditions were creating new challenges for businesses.

To address these, CNFC is collaborating with research institutions on projects involving fishing-ground forecasting, advanced seafood processing, and digital trading platforms. The initiatives aim to improve resource assessment, increase market transparency, and support more informed business decisions.

The company has also called for closer coordination among fishing operators, processors, traders, and service providers to strengthen the industry's resilience.