Perspective

Marine Ranching: China’s Blue Solution for Food Security

^a CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
^b Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
^c Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture (CAS), Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China

^* Corresponding author. Email: hshyang@qdio.ac.cn (YANG H.)

Abstract

Facing global food challenges, China is pioneering an innovative solution to ocean resource management: marine ranching. This concept, transforming sections of the sea into managed underwater farms, stands at the forefront of China’s food security and ecological preservation strategy. Led by institutions like the Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, marine ranching goes beyond traditional aquaculture. It establishes managed ecosystems that not only yield food but also contribute to the restoration of marine biodiversity. This blue revolution addresses the urgent need for sustainable seafood production and aids in rehabilitating underwater ecosystems. China’s practice in this field might have provided valuable reference for global sustainable ocean management.