China’s remarkable fisheries capabilities take center stage as the nation’s largest fishery research vessel, Lan Hai 201, commences its inaugural overseas mission. Departing from Shanghai last Thursday, the vessel, independently developed, is set to conduct comprehensive surveys in the high seas of the northwestern Indian Ocean, marking a significant step for China in reshaping its global image from a voracious consumer of fish stock to a key player in fisheries governance.
Owned by the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences’ East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, the Lan Hai 201 aims to explore the high seas, deemed a crucial source of high-quality protein for China and a strategic support point for the nation’s marine strategy.
Fang Hui, director of the institute, emphasized the importance of such surveys in achieving sustainable development in distant-water fisheries and safeguarding China’s maritime rights.
The four-month expedition, covering 100 sites, will assess the volume and biological diversity of fishery resources, alongside studying hydrological and meteorological elements around major fisheries.
With a weight of 3,289 tonnes and dimensions measuring 84.5 meters in length and 15 meters in width, Lan Hai 201 boasts a cruising power of 10,000 nautical miles and is equipped with a cutting-edge scientific investigation system.
Captain Tang Xiaolin highlighted the mission’s role in integrating China’s distant-water fisheries into the Belt and Road Initiative’s industrial development, enhancing China’s influence in international fishery governance.
China, consuming a third of the world’s fish, holds the title of the globe’s largest seafood exporter, courtesy of its extensive distant-water fleet. However, the nation has faced accusations of depleting global fishery stocks and damaging maritime ecosystems, having already exhausted its domestic resources.
The current expedition reflects China’s commitment to reshaping its role in the global fisheries landscape through sustainable practices and international cooperation.
Source: SCMP
