China's technology-driven advances in aquaculture are easing pressure on wild fish populations and offering a transformative model for the global sector, experts said on Wednesday at a major industry conference held in Fujian province.

With climate change and resource constraints pushing the world toward more sustainable practices, China's progress is being monitored closely.

As the world's largest aquaculture producer, China has demonstrated that intensive farming can reduce reliance on wild catch while meeting surging demand for protein, experts told the First FAO-CFA Joint International Conference on Sustainable Aquaculture in Fuzhou, Fujian.

"China's experiences demonstrate both the transformative potential of aquaculture and the importance of placing sustainability at its core," Manuel Barange, assistant director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization, said in a video address.

"By hosting this conference and creating a space for global dialogue, China is contributing not only to its own progress but to the global public good," he added.

Barange warned that rising food demand, intensifying competition for natural resources, growing animal health risks and mounting environmental pressures are testing the resilience of agricultural systems worldwide.

According to data released at the conference, China's farming-to-catch ratio now stands at 83:17, meaning the vast majority of its aquatic food supply now comes from farming rather than wild fishing.

Total aquaculture production exceeded 63 million metric tons in 2025 — accounting for roughly 56 percent of global supply — while the sector generated 3.4 trillion yuan ($492.5 billion) in economic value.

Xiao Fang, a senior fishery official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said China has developed 640 cultivated aquatic species and is deploying 5G-connected smart farms as part of a national strategy to modernize the sector while reducing environmental impact.

"Aquaculture is a vital industry for ensuring the supply of aquatic products and food security," said Xiao at the conference. "China has always upheld the concept of sustainable development and adhered to the principle of 'farming first'."

Xiao attributed the country's success to several factors: technology-driven breeding; green transformation through density controls and wastewater treatment; quality assurance via standardized supply chains; and brand cultivation that integrates fisheries with tourism and cultural heritage.

"Advancing the sustainable development and modernization of aquaculture is an inevitable requirement for the industry's growth in this new era," said Cui Lifeng, president of the China Fisheries Association.

For developing economies facing similar pressures on coastal fisheries, China's path holds particular relevance.

The conference has drawn representatives from more than 40 nations, many seeking practical solutions to balance food security with conservation.

Belemane Semoli, chief director of aquaculture development and inland fisheries in South Africa, said climate variability, expensive feed and limited access to quality fingerlings are among the key challenges facing his country's aquaculture sector as it seeks to boost production and sustainability.

"We are looking at collaborating with Chinese experts to develop technologies that can help us produce throughout the year," he told China Daily on the sidelines of the conference.

He cited extreme temperature fluctuations between very cold winters and hot summers as a major constraint on consistent output.

Semoli also noted that feed accounts for roughly 60 percent of total production costs, calling for joint research into affordable alternatives and collaboration on breeding programs to develop faster-growing, disease-resistant strains.

"We want to learn how the Chinese government is able to provide affordable financing to small-scale fishermen," he said, adding that access to capital remains a barrier for smaller operators.

Chinese officials said the host region, Fujian, leads the nation in offshore aquaculture. Improved varieties account for 85 percent of cultivated aquatic species, and facility-based farming makes up over 75 percent of output, helping reduce pressure on coastal waters.

Yan Zhihuang, director of the Fujian Provincial Department of Ocean and Fisheries, said the province is actively bidding to host the secretariat of the United Nations' Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement — also widely known as the High Seas Treaty, positioning itself as a hub for marine governance.

Discussions at the three-day conference center on implementing the Guidelines for Sustainable Aquaculture, adopted by the FAO Committee on Fisheries in July 2024 to guide sustainable development of the aquaculture sector. The conference continues through Friday and includes site visits to Fujian farming operations.