China is still the biggest producer of freshwater fish and leaves a major gap with number 2: India. The country also teamed up with Mexico to increase production even further.
According to the Indian Times, China produced 570 lakh MT (lakh = 100,000 MT) of fish and marine algae in 2012, which was 63% of its total aquaculture production.
China has a long history in aquaculture and the sector is booming and the country is looking for more partnerships in this business. FIS reported that during a recent visit to Mazatlan, Sinaloa, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Mexico, Xiaoqi Qiu, met with the head of the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA), Mario Aguilar Sanchez, to address issues related to fisheries and aquaculture.
Xiaoqi Qiu ensured that China is willing to expand and deepen exchanges with Mexico on fisheries and aquaculture issues, and experiences among researchers and producers. Aguilar Sanchez stated that the meeting was important because it helps to “strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding bonds on fisheries and aquaculture between both nations” and it will allow them to “share knowledge and experience to identify opportunities for bilateral cooperation to expand and for the potential of our seas and inland waters to strengthen”.
On September 21-22 (prior to VIV China) the conference Aquatic China will be held in Beijing. The emphasis of this conference is creating an opportunity pathway for those in China’s aquaculture industry to connect with some of the world’s experts on aquaculture research, science, nutrition, feed formulation, economic production, food safety, quality assurance and certification. Click here for more information.