Agri-food sector sets sail

As the sun rises over the calm sea off the coast of Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province, thousands of yellow croakers swim in their tanks aboard Guoxin-1. Crew members carefully transfer the fish to the processing deck using suction hoses.

Each fish is then immediately immersed in an ice slurry to preserve quality. Within about 15 minutes, rapid cooling lowers the fish's surface temperature to around 3 degrees Celsius, instantly locking in freshness. "This cooling phase is essential to guarantee the quality of the product as soon as it leaves the water," explained Sun Linlin, the vessel's production manager.

More than 46,000 yellow croakers were harvested in a single operation.

Most of the fish on our plates today doesn't come from the coastal farms of old. Coastal areas, once full of promise, are now saturated, sometimes polluted, and subject to increasingly strict environmental limits. With population growth and rising global demand for marine protein, pressure on these limited areas is intensifying. To meet these challenges, the agri-food sector is looking beyond the shore, with offshore aquaculture emerging as a strategic and innovative solution.

China, a global leader in aquaculture for decades, is driving this transformation. Guoxin-1 is China's first 100,000-tonne smart aquaculture vessel. Nearly 250 metres long and 45 metres wide, with a displacement of more than 130,000 tonnes, it can handle storms and typhoons while keeping the fish environment stable. Its 15 tanks hold around 90,000 cubic metres of seawater, enough for species like yellow croaker, grouper and Atlantic salmon, all grown under carefully controlled conditions.

The country is deploying more such vessels, including even larger ones, to boost food self-sufficiency, secure supply chains and share this technology globally. This initiative is part of a long-term vision in which the high seas become organised zones for food production, working alongside coastal farms and helping to feed millions of people.

A smart vessel

Guoxin-1 is not just a floating cage – it is a complete farm at sea. Automated systems monitor every stage of production, from breeding and health checks to harvesting, processing and logistics, all in real time.

Juvenile fish are sourced from specialised nurseries, having passed the larval stage and already looking like small adults. "These juveniles are ready for transfer to the vessel for high-seas rearing," said Wu Yimei, a juvenile fish specialist. On board, key parameters including temperature, oxygen, salinity and water exchange are stabilised to promote growth, minimise stress and reduce mortality.

Each tank has smart sensors that constantly monitor water conditions and feeding. Automated systems adjust the amount of feed and water flow to promote growth and reduce losses. Despite this automation, human expertise is essential. Technicians and engineers check the fish daily, adjust settings and quickly resolve any problems.

"These technologies allow us to produce fish more efficiently and safely," said Xu Hao, a researcher at the Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, part of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences.

Mobility is a strategic strength of the vessel. It can move to avoid polluted waters, harmful algae or adverse weather conditions. This flexibility reduces stress on the fish, promotes even growth and improves flesh quality. Harvesting follows precise cycles, with fish quickly transported to port for processing, packaging and distribution, ensuring freshness, traceability and food safety. This method also helps to minimise food waste and optimise market supply.

Farm of the future

Thanks to Guoxin-1, China's agri-food sector is reaching new levels. The vessel is more than a production tool. It represents a new approach to food, where technology and nature work together to meet the demands of a growing population. By venturing into deep waters and controlling farming conditions, it creates a more sustainable form of aquaculture, resilient to climate challenges and the limits of coastal zones.

The vessel demonstrates China's strategic role in food innovation, placing the agri-food sector at the forefront of global food security. Each fish farmed on board is part of a transparent, traceable and responsible supply chain, where quality and integrity are guaranteed. With full traceability and careful production planning, the vessel delivers consistent volumes for domestic and international markets, while reducing food waste and keeping products fresh.

More than a technical achievement, Guoxin-1 is a vision for the future of the sea as a sustainable resource. It shows that innovation, productivity and environmental care can coexist by easing pressure on crowded coastal areas and responsibly using deep waters. The vessel also reflects China's strategy to build a fleet of mobile farms that strengthen national food security and offer a model for other countries to follow.

In short, Guoxin-1 is not merely a farming tool. It is a symbol of a future where humans and the oceans collaborate intelligently, where every technological initiative contributes to feeding the planet sustainably, and where the sea becomes a true partner in global food security. This approach lays the foundation for the next generation of aquaculture, capable of addressing population growth, climate pressures and food security needs while safeguarding marine ecosystems.