Smart fishery vessel completes first salmon fry transfer at sea

A close look at the massive 150,000-metric-ton smart fishery vessel, Guoxin No 1 2-2. [Photo/IC]

The massive 150,000-metric-ton smart fishery vessel, Guoxin No 1 2-2, recently delivered in the Qingdao West Coast New Area (Qingdao WCNA), completed the transfer of the first batch of salmon fry into its aquaculture tanks at sea.

This pioneering achievement marks the world's first exploration of salmon and trout cultivation aboard an ultra-large mobile farming vessel, opening a new avenue for China's high-quality protein supply and signaling a major milestone for the nation's deep-sea aquaculture industry.

The two-day operation saw over 25,000 Atlantic salmon fry successfully loaded. Facing challenging high-sea conditions, the on-site team implemented a carefully coordinated strategy, combining crane hoisting and side-boarding chute methods. This meticulous approach resulted in an outstanding survival rate of 99.7 percent during transport and transfer, validating the efficiency and reliability of the vessel farming model.

The fry used were domestically incubated from high-quality imported eggs and transferred via a "land-sea relay" model, ensuring efficient control over the entire supply chain, from seed source and incubation to final shipboard cultivation.

Equipped with an intelligent centralized control system, the vessel provides an optimal and fully controllable growth environment for its new inhabitants. Following the completion of all salmon and trout fry transfers, the Guoxin No 1 2-2 will relocate to a suitable sea area to continue year-round farming operations.