Analysis of environmental conditions of offshore raft-culture areas in Dongshan Island

Abstract

Dongshan Island is one of the important mariculture bases in Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province. Relying on its long coastline, it has developed three different aquaculture models: floating raft hanging culture, offshore fish cage net culture, and onshore high-position pond culture, nurturing distinctive aquaculture species such as oysters, Decapterus maruadsi, green abalone, and asparagus seaweed. Fisheries serve as the primary source of livelihood income for local coastal residents. Through field interviews with aquaculture farmers on Dongshan Island, as well as reviews of the Dongshan County Fisheries Statistical Yearbook and local fishery materials, this study systematically examines the practical problems existing in the current offshore mariculture industry on Dongshan Island, including issues related to ecology, germplasm, costs, industrial chains, and disaster resilience. Combined with Fujian Province's supportive policies for deep-sea aquaculture and the island's ecological governance plans, this paper analyzes the industry's development prospects from five dimensions: ecological aquaculture transformation, seed industry autonomy, industrial integration, facility upgrading, and digitalized aquaculture, providing practical references for the green and sustainable development of mariculture on Dongshan Island.