Fishery industry projected to reach 200,000 tons in output
2025-07-29 20:07:26
By Hu Yikai.
Yichang's fishery industry has been growing through diversified development, with annual output expected to reach 200,000 tons and total revenue hitting 8 billion yuan (US$1.1 billion) this year.
Yichang leads China in artificial sturgeon farming with an annual biomass exceeding 10,000 tons. Its 24 caviar producers are set to deliver 180 tons, generating nearly 1 billion yuan (US$139.8 million). The city’s fatty fish industry leverages premium water sources and unique methods to supply regional markets.
The city’s aquatic fry sector has advanced with localized breeding of copper fish and perch. Annual fry output exceeds 1.5 billion, with premium species now comprising over 50 percent of total yield. Yichang has also pioneered saltwater fish farming in freshwater ponds, expanding the diversity of fish cultivated.
Deep processing
The city’s fish product deep processing companies are also thriving on top of the quick development of fresh fish production. There are more than 15 deep processing factories in Yichang, whose total annual processing volume is estimated to reach 50,000 tons with output exceeding 1.3 billion yuan.
Their product lines range from sturgeon caviar to surimi and snack foods, shifting from single to multi-product operations.
Fishery-tourism integration
Yichang’s Dangyang will soon host the 2025 China Angling Competition, with fishing festivals organized around the event to promote fishery and tourism integration. Yidu Qingjiang Sturgeon Valley has accelerated the development of the "Sturgeon Town" in Tianpingshan Village.
Across the city, an integrated fishery tourism industrial chain is taking shape, combining fish farming, viewing, dining, angling, and leisure activities.
Jie Xingwei, Zhou Chongyu, Zheng Peng, and Liu Lei contributed to this story.
Yichang's fishery industry has been growing through diversified development, with annual output expected to reach 200,000 tons and total revenue hitting 8 billion yuan (US$1.1 billion) this year.
Workers at TuLaohan Ecological Agriculture Group are producing Qing River Wild Fish snacks. Photo by Chen Dandan.
Specialty aquacultureYichang leads China in artificial sturgeon farming with an annual biomass exceeding 10,000 tons. Its 24 caviar producers are set to deliver 180 tons, generating nearly 1 billion yuan (US$139.8 million). The city’s fatty fish industry leverages premium water sources and unique methods to supply regional markets.
The city’s aquatic fry sector has advanced with localized breeding of copper fish and perch. Annual fry output exceeds 1.5 billion, with premium species now comprising over 50 percent of total yield. Yichang has also pioneered saltwater fish farming in freshwater ponds, expanding the diversity of fish cultivated.
Deep processing
The city’s fish product deep processing companies are also thriving on top of the quick development of fresh fish production. There are more than 15 deep processing factories in Yichang, whose total annual processing volume is estimated to reach 50,000 tons with output exceeding 1.3 billion yuan.
Their product lines range from sturgeon caviar to surimi and snack foods, shifting from single to multi-product operations.
Fishery-tourism integration
Yichang’s Dangyang will soon host the 2025 China Angling Competition, with fishing festivals organized around the event to promote fishery and tourism integration. Yidu Qingjiang Sturgeon Valley has accelerated the development of the "Sturgeon Town" in Tianpingshan Village.
Across the city, an integrated fishery tourism industrial chain is taking shape, combining fish farming, viewing, dining, angling, and leisure activities.
Jie Xingwei, Zhou Chongyu, Zheng Peng, and Liu Lei contributed to this story.
