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Revision as of 08:00, 24 December 2008 editEpipelagic (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers85,822 edits →Inland fishing grounds: inland wild fisheries← Previous edit Revision as of 10:16, 24 December 2008 edit undoEpipelagic (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers85,822 edits Inland aquacultureNext edit →
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], China]] ], China]]
China accounts for about one-third of the total fish production of the world. According to the ] statistics, the total fish production in 2005 was 49.5 million tons. Of this total, 65.5% was from ], an increasing sector, and 34.5% from ] caught in rivers, lakes, and the sea.<ref name="FAO 2005">FAO 2005 statistics</ref> China, with one-fifth of the world's population, accounts for one-third of the world's fish production. According to the ] statistics, the total fish production in 2005 was 49.5 million tons. Of this total, 65.5% was from ], an increasing sector, and 34.5% from ] caught in rivers, lakes, and the sea.<ref name="FAO 2005">FAO 2005 statistics</ref>


Aquaculture, the ] of fish in ponds and lakes, accounts for more than half of China's output. China's 2005 reported harvest was 32.4 million tons, more than 10 times that of the second-ranked nation, India, which produced 2.8 million tons.<ref name="FAO 2005"/> The principal aquaculture-producing regions are close to urban markets in middle and lower ] valley and the ] delta. Aquaculture, the ] of fish in ponds and lakes, accounts for more than half of China's output. China's 2005 reported harvest was 32.4 million tons, more than 10 times that of the second-ranked nation, India, which produced 2.8 million tons.<ref name="FAO 2005"/> The principal aquaculture-producing regions are close to urban markets in middle and lower ] valley and the ] delta.
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China's 2005 reported catch of wild fish was 17.1 million tons, far ahead of the second-ranked nation, the United States, with 4.9 million tons.<ref name="FAO 2005"/> China's 2005 reported catch of wild fish was 17.1 million tons, far ahead of the second-ranked nation, the United States, with 4.9 million tons.<ref name="FAO 2005"/>


==Marine fishing grounds== ==Wild marine fisheries==
====Coastal fisheries==== ====Coastal fisheries====
] ]
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The China National Fishery Corporation (CNFC) is the major operator in the distant water fisheries. In 1985 it sent the first Chinese ] to West African waters. In 1986, working with other Chinese partners, CNFC started ] operations in the North Pacific. In 1988 tuna ] was initiated in the South Pacific, and in 1989, squid longlining in the Japan Sea and the North Pacific.<ref name="NOAA Industry"/> The China National Fishery Corporation (CNFC) is the major operator in the distant water fisheries. In 1985 it sent the first Chinese ] to West African waters. In 1986, working with other Chinese partners, CNFC started ] operations in the North Pacific. In 1988 tuna ] was initiated in the South Pacific, and in 1989, squid longlining in the Japan Sea and the North Pacific.<ref name="NOAA Industry"/>


==Inland fishing grounds== ==Inland wild fisheries==
Inland China contains 176,000 square km of inland waters (1.8% of the inland area). Eighty thousand reservoirs contribute another 20,000 sq km. Inland China contains 176,000 square km of inland waters (1.8% of the inland area). Eighty thousand reservoirs contribute another 20,000 sq km.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
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China reputably has 709 freshwater fish species and 58 subspecies, with another 64 species migrating between sea and inland waters.<ref name="NOAA Industry"/> China reputably has 709 freshwater fish species and 58 subspecies, with another 64 species migrating between sea and inland waters.<ref name="NOAA Industry"/>


] are a commercially important species, particularly ], ], ], big head carp, ] and ]. Other commercially important species are ], reeves ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Commercial shellfish include ] and river crabs, ]s include freshwater ]s, ] and freshwater snails. Aquatic plants are also harvested, ], ] and ]. Other commercial species include the soft-shell turtle and the frog.<ref name="NOAA Industry"/> ] are a commercially important species, particularly ], ], ], big head carp, ] and ]. Other commercially important species are ], reeves ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Commercial shellfish include ] and river crabs, ]s include freshwater ]s, ] and freshwater snails. Aquatic plants are also harvested, ], ] and gorgon euryale. Other commercial species include the soft-shell turtle and the frog.<ref name="NOAA Industry"/>


China inland fish production before 1963 came mainly from wild inland fisheries. Since then, wild inland fishery resources have decreased because of overfishing, dam building, land reclamation for agriculture, and industrial pollution. During the 1970s, the annual output of wild inland fisheries had dropped to 300,000 tons per year. In 1978, the government set up organizational structures to deal with these issues, and to stock fish ]s in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. This reversed many of the problems, and by 1996 production reached 1.76 million tons. However, inland aquaculture has made even bigger gains, and now outstrips production from the wild inland fisheries.<ref name="NOAA Industry"/> China inland fish production before 1963 came mainly from wild inland fisheries. Since then, wild inland fishery resources have decreased because of overfishing, dam building, land reclamation for agriculture, and industrial pollution. During the 1970s, the annual output of wild inland fisheries had dropped to 300,000 tons per year. In 1978, the government set up organizational structures to deal with these issues, and to stock fish ]s in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. This reversed many of the problems, and by 1996 production reached 1.76 million tons. However, inland aquaculture has made even bigger gains, and now outstrips production from the wild inland fisheries.<ref name="NOAA Industry"/>


==Aquaculture== ==Aquaculture==
The history of aquaculture in China goes back 2000 years. Since the 1970s, the reform policies have resulted in the rapid development of China’s aquaculture, both in fresh and in sea waters. Total aquaculture areas rose from 2.86 million hectors in 1979 to 5.68 million hectors in 1996, and the production rose from 1.23 million tons to 15.31 million tons.<ref name="NOAA Aquaculture">] Central Library (1996)
</ref>

====Inland aquaculture====
In 1979, inland aquaculture occupied 237.8 million hectares and produced 813,000 tons. In 1996, they occupied 485.8 million hectares and produced 10.938 million tons. In that year, 17 provinces produced over 100,000 tons from inland aquaculture.<ref name="NOAA Aquaculture"/>

The most common method of inland aquaculture in China is pond culture, with a 73.9% share in 1996. These pond culture activities are mostly distributed along the ] basin and the ] basin covering seven provinces: ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The government has been supporting additional developments in rural areas to get rid of poverty. The sector is also important from a nutritional perspective, because it brings seafood to areas far from the sea where traditionaly consumption of seafood has been low.<ref name="NOAA Aquaculture"/>

In recent times, Chinese fish farmers have extended their skills in intensive culture in pond system to open waters such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs and channels, by incorporating cages, nets and pens.<ref name="NOAA Aquaculture"/>


==History== ==History==
====Cormorant fishing====
] near ]]] ] near ]]]
Historically, ] has been a significant fishing technique in China. To control the birds, the fishermen tie a snare near the base of the bird's throat. This prevents the birds from swallowing larger fish, which are held in their throat. When a cormorant has caught a fish, the fisherman brings the bird back to the boat and has the bird spit the fish out. Chinese fishermen often employ ]s.<ref>. May 2001 version. Retrieved 2008-JAN-30.</ref> Though cormorant fishing used to be a successful fishing industry, its primary use today is to serve the tourism industry.In ], China, cormorant birds are famous for fishing on the shallow ]. Historically, ] has been a significant fishing technique in China. To control the birds, the fishermen tie a snare near the base of the bird's throat. This prevents the birds from swallowing larger fish, which are held in their throat. When a cormorant has caught a fish, the fisherman brings the bird back to the boat and has the bird spit the fish out. Chinese fishermen often employ ]s.<ref>. May 2001 version. Retrieved 2008-JAN-30.</ref> Though cormorant fishing used to be a successful fishing industry, its primary use today is to serve the tourism industry.In ], China, cormorant birds are famous for fishing on the shallow ].

{{clear}}
The Romans farmed carp and this pond culture continued through the monestries of Europe and to this day. In China and soon after in Japan carp farming took place as early as the ] (ca. 300 B.C - 300 A.D.). ] is the number one fish of aquaculture. The annual tonnage of common carp, not to mention the other cyprinids, produced in China exceeds the weight of all other fish, such as trout and salmon, produced by aquaculture world wide.

<gallery> <gallery>
File:Yangxin-Fushui-River-fishermen-0044.jpg File:Yangxin-Fushui-River-fishermen-0044.jpg

Revision as of 10:16, 24 December 2008

Fishermen on the Fushui River, China

China, with one-fifth of the world's population, accounts for one-third of the world's fish production. According to the FAO statistics, the total fish production in 2005 was 49.5 million tons. Of this total, 65.5% was from aquaculture, an increasing sector, and 34.5% from wild fish caught in rivers, lakes, and the sea.

Aquaculture, the farming of fish in ponds and lakes, accounts for more than half of China's output. China's 2005 reported harvest was 32.4 million tons, more than 10 times that of the second-ranked nation, India, which produced 2.8 million tons. The principal aquaculture-producing regions are close to urban markets in middle and lower Yangtze valley and the Zhu Jiang delta.

China's 2005 reported catch of wild fish was 17.1 million tons, far ahead of the second-ranked nation, the United States, with 4.9 million tons.

Wild marine fisheries

Coastal fisheries

China has a coastline of 14,500 km
China's continental shelf covers 431,000 km²

China has a coastline of 14,500 kilometres, and an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 877,019 square kilometres. The fishing grounds range from sub-tropical to temperate zones and include 431,000 square kilometres of continental shelves (within 200 meters deep).

Areas of marine fishing grounds (x1000 km²)
Region Area Continental shelf Fishing ground
Bohai Sea 24 24 24
Yellow Sea 127 127 103
East China Sea 252 151 160
South China Sea 630 129 531
Total 1033 431 818

There are ongoing disputes with several neighbouring nations over the exact extent of the EEZ in the South China Sea.

The China seas contain about 3000 marine species, of which more than 150 species are fished commercially. Some major marine fishing species in recent times are hairtail, chub mackerel, black scraper (oval filefish or Navodon modestus), anchovy and some species from shrimps, crabs and smaller fishes.

Distant water fisheries

The world's EEZs are shown as a white extension of the land. International waters (high seas) are highlighted in blue.

Chinese distant water fishing activities started in 1985. China gains access to new fishing grounds through agreements with foreign countries. By 1996, these fisheries had extended to more than 60 nations or regions around the world. In that year, they employed 21,200 fishermen, 1381 fishing vessels, and caught 926,500 tons.

The China National Fishery Corporation (CNFC) is the major operator in the distant water fisheries. In 1985 it sent the first Chinese fishing fleet to West African waters. In 1986, working with other Chinese partners, CNFC started trawling operations in the North Pacific. In 1988 tuna longlining was initiated in the South Pacific, and in 1989, squid longlining in the Japan Sea and the North Pacific.

Inland wild fisheries

Inland China contains 176,000 square km of inland waters (1.8% of the inland area). Eighty thousand reservoirs contribute another 20,000 sq km.

Major lakes in China
Lake Location Area (km2) Fisheries
Qinghaihu Lake Qinghai 4,583
Qinghaihu Lake Qinghai 4,583
Boyanghu Lake Jiangxi 3,583
Luobubo Lake Xinjiang 3,006
Dongtinghu Lake Hunan 2,820
Taihu Lake Jiangsu 2,420
Hulunhu Lake Neimenggu 2,315
Hongzehu Lake Jiangsu 1,586
Major rivers in China
River Length (km) Area (km2) Fisheries
Yangtze River 5,800 18,085
Yellow River 5,464 7,524
Heilongjiang River 2,965 8,900
Talimu River 2,179 1,980
Zhujiang River 2,129 4,257
Songhuajiang River 1,840 5,456
Yaluzangbujiang River 1,787 2,416
Lancangjiang River 1,612 1,540
Nujiang River 1,540 1,200
Hanjiang River 1,532 1,744
Liaohe River 1,430 1,920
Nenjiang River 1,370 2,439
Yalongjiang River 1,187 1,443
Yujiang River 1,162
Jialinjiang River 1,119 1,598
Haihe River 1,090 2,650
Wujiang River 1,018 882
Huaihe River 1,000 18,700

China reputably has 709 freshwater fish species and 58 subspecies, with another 64 species migrating between sea and inland waters.

Carp are a commercially important species, particularly black carp, grass carp, silver carp, big head carp, common carp and crucian carp. Other commercially important species are bream, reeves shad, eel, cat fish, rainbow trout, salmon, whitebait, mullet, mandarin fish, perch, sturgeon, murrel and pangolin. Commercial shellfish include freshwater shrimp and river crabs, molluscs include freshwater mussels, clams and freshwater snails. Aquatic plants are also harvested, lotus, water chestnut and gorgon euryale. Other commercial species include the soft-shell turtle and the frog.

China inland fish production before 1963 came mainly from wild inland fisheries. Since then, wild inland fishery resources have decreased because of overfishing, dam building, land reclamation for agriculture, and industrial pollution. During the 1970s, the annual output of wild inland fisheries had dropped to 300,000 tons per year. In 1978, the government set up organizational structures to deal with these issues, and to stock fish fingerlings in rivers, lakes and reservoirs. This reversed many of the problems, and by 1996 production reached 1.76 million tons. However, inland aquaculture has made even bigger gains, and now outstrips production from the wild inland fisheries.

Aquaculture

The history of aquaculture in China goes back 2000 years. Since the 1970s, the reform policies have resulted in the rapid development of China’s aquaculture, both in fresh and in sea waters. Total aquaculture areas rose from 2.86 million hectors in 1979 to 5.68 million hectors in 1996, and the production rose from 1.23 million tons to 15.31 million tons.

Inland aquaculture

In 1979, inland aquaculture occupied 237.8 million hectares and produced 813,000 tons. In 1996, they occupied 485.8 million hectares and produced 10.938 million tons. In that year, 17 provinces produced over 100,000 tons from inland aquaculture.

The most common method of inland aquaculture in China is pond culture, with a 73.9% share in 1996. These pond culture activities are mostly distributed along the Yangtze River basin and the Pearl River basin covering seven provinces: Guangdong, Jiangsu, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, Jiangxi and Shandong. The government has been supporting additional developments in rural areas to get rid of poverty. The sector is also important from a nutritional perspective, because it brings seafood to areas far from the sea where traditionaly consumption of seafood has been low.

In recent times, Chinese fish farmers have extended their skills in intensive culture in pond system to open waters such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs and channels, by incorporating cages, nets and pens.

History

A Chinese fisherman with his cormorant on Erhai Lake near Dali, Yunnan

Historically, cormorant fishing has been a significant fishing technique in China. To control the birds, the fishermen tie a snare near the base of the bird's throat. This prevents the birds from swallowing larger fish, which are held in their throat. When a cormorant has caught a fish, the fisherman brings the bird back to the boat and has the bird spit the fish out. Chinese fishermen often employ great cormorants. Though cormorant fishing used to be a successful fishing industry, its primary use today is to serve the tourism industry.In Guilin, China, cormorant birds are famous for fishing on the shallow Lijiang River.

The Romans farmed carp and this pond culture continued through the monestries of Europe and to this day. In China and soon after in Japan carp farming took place as early as the Yayoi Period (ca. 300 B.C - 300 A.D.). Cyprinus carpio is the number one fish of aquaculture. The annual tonnage of common carp, not to mention the other cyprinids, produced in China exceeds the weight of all other fish, such as trout and salmon, produced by aquaculture world wide.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ FAO 2005 statistics
  2. CIA factbook: [China
  3. Sea Around Us Project: China's EEZ
  4. ^ NOAA Central Library (1996) Fishing Industry in China
  5. ^ NOAA Central Library (1996) Aquaculture Industry
  6. Cormorant Fishing "UKAI". May 2001 version. Retrieved 2008-JAN-30.

References


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