Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Today (Reporter Parizat Abdu) news: When the morning light bathes the snow-capped peaks of the Tianshan Mountains, vacuum-sealed and ice-fresh salmon from the cold-water fish farming base in Serike’arele Village, Aotebeixi Township, Uqturpan County, are swiftly transported by plane. They reach dining tables across the country within just 12 hours.

Meanwhile, at the aquaculture base at Tuoleganji Village in Ying’airike Township, Hetian County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, over ten varieties of aquatic products are being supplied to markets nationwide, including crabs, giant freshwater prawns, crayfish, snakeheads, and soft-shelled turtles.

Located in the heart of the Eurasian continent, Xinjiang has long been known as "the place farthest from the ocean." Despite having no sea, the region has made a name for itself with its "desert seafood." It has leveraged vast natural water resources and abundant fisheries. Through rapid advancements in digital and green aquaculture, Xinjiang has carved out a unique niche in the industry.

Photo shows an aquaculture base at Tuoleganji Village in Ying’airike Township, Hetian County, Hotan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Tang Yong)

Statistics show that in 2024, Xinjiang's aquatic product output reached 196,500 tons, a year-on-year increase of 6.8 percent. Premium seafood varieties, such as Pacific white shrimp, grouper, Australian lobster, and peled, not only meet local demand but also make it to the fresh food markets of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Greater Bay Area city clusters, even crossing borders to reach international markets like Singapore.

Aquaculture flourishes at the desert's edge

Today, from crabs and crayfish to pearl mussel seedlings, aquaculture flourishes at the desert's edge.

Hotan County is situated on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, where arid conditions and poor soil prevail. Despite these challenges, it has successfully developed a thriving aquaculture industry. By leveraging available water resources, the county has attracted specialized enterprises to establish diversified farming operations focusing on crabs, Pacific white shrimp, and sea bass. This development has created fundamental conditions for industrial-scale, branded aquaculture production in the region.

"Last November, we released 60,000 freshwater fry, including silver cod, sea bass, snakehead, Yellow River catfish, Chinese high-fin banded shark, and koi carp. They’ll be ready for market in just another month. By then, our annual output is expected to reach 280 tons, with production value exceeding 50 million yuan (about 6.85 million U.S. dollars)," said Fan Ming, general manager of Hotan Yujianjianglai Aquaculture Co., Ltd. in Qiamuguluke Village, Ying’airike Township, as he watched the fish swimming in the breeding pools.

The company employs an indoor artificial aquaculture model, operating 56 modern breeding pools. By maintaining a stable environment with constant temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels, the facility ensures healthy fish growth. Fan explained that the company introduced rare and resilient specialty aquatic species with moderate growth cycles from Chengdu. Through optimized stocking density, enhanced water quality management, and tailored feeding programs, they improve both the quality and growth rate of the fish.

"Once barren and desolate, the desert has now come alive with aquaculture. In Makit County, water from the Yarkand River has been channeled to establish an Australian lobster farming base on the edge of the Taklimakan Desert, yielding lobsters weighing 130 grams each. At Shishixian Aquatic Products Co., Ltd. in Qiemo County, two million pearl mussel seedlings have been successfully trial-cultivated, and its base is also located in the heart of the Taklimakan Desert. At the fully ecological intelligent constant-temperature recycling aquaculture base of Kezhou Zhanyu Biological Technology Co., Ltd. in Artux City, six types of aquatic products including groupers, prawns, and oysters are being cultivated...

Where does confidence in desert seafood farming come from?

Xinjiang, China's landlocked province known for its deserts and Gobi landscapes, might seem an unlikely place for aquaculture. Where does confidence in desert seafood farming come from?

At Junding Fishery Development Co., Ltd.’s cold-water fish farming base in Uqturpan County, salmon swim vigorously in spacious breeding pools.

Salmon boasts high nutritional value, strong market demand, and excellent breeding efficiency. However, salmon farming requires strict water temperature and quality controls, with an optimal temperature not exceeding 18 degrees Celsius. The aquaculture base, adjacent to the Tuoshigan River, features abundant natural springs, pristine water quality, and consistently low temperatures, making it ideal for the growth, reproduction, and large-scale farming of cold-water fish.

"Leveraging these natural advantages, our company established operations in Uqturpan County in 2018 and began trial breeding of cold-water fish such as salmon and sturgeon," explained Shi Zepeng, the company’s director. The facility comprises 70 rectangular breeding ponds spanning about 4.7 hectares. Currently, it hosts 300,000 salmon fry and 400,000 sturgeon fry, with an estimated annual output of 260-300 tons of salmon and 150 tons of sturgeon by year-end. The annual production value is projected to exceed 20 million yuan (about 2.24 million U.S. dollars). Presently, sturgeon products are primarily sold in southern Xinjiang markets, while salmon is distributed to major cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Lianyungang.

Abundant water resources and mineral-rich brackish water, coupled with advanced aquaculture technologies such as modern breeding ponds, recirculating systems, and semi-natural cultivation methods, have boosted the popularity of crabs farmed in the desert. Consequently, Xinjiang’s seafood, including Australian lobsters and freshwater pearl mussels, is becoming a sought-after delicacy throughout China.

In late March, as temperatures rose, sunlight glinted on the ponds at the Australian freshwater lobster pilot farm in Yahumudan Village, Bazhajiemi Town, Makit County.

Makit County enjoys a unique position in China, being completely surrounded by desert. This location, combined with its closeness to the Yarkand River and a network of small reservoirs and wetlands, provides abundant water resources. In late 2020, with funding and guidance from Rizhao City's assistance program, a pilot project for farming Australian freshwater lobsters was initiated in Yahumudan Village.

"Last year, we stocked over 500,000 lobster larvae," explained farm manager Wu Zhiyou. "Through the rigorous monitoring of water quality, which included pH levels, ammonia nitrogen, and nitrite concentrations, we successfully nurtured premium Australian freshwater lobsters, achieving an output of 30 tons with a total output value of 7.8 million yuan (about 1.07 million U.S. dollars)."

Aquaculture boosts farmers' incomes

Ali Sawut, an employee at Junding Fishery Development Co., Ltd. in Uqturpan County, has worked at the company for two years. "This job is close to home with stable income. I earn 5,000 yuan monthly," Ali said, expressing satisfaction with his current job. The company employs many workers like him.

According to Shi Zepeng, the company plans to construct two additional fish farms this year. Upon completion, annual production is projected to reach 600 tons of salmon and 200 tons of sturgeon, creating 50 stable jobs and 200 flexible employment opportunities.

Industries are the backbone of our livelihoods, the driving force behind prosperity, and the engine that generates wealth. Today, aquaculture has emerged as a key income-boosting sector in Xinjiang’s major fishery regions, providing farmers with sustainable revenue streams and employment while laying the groundwork for optimizing rural industrial structures and economic transformation.

Leveraging its unique geographic advantages, Hetian County continues pioneering standardized, large-scale, and specialized aquaculture models. New species are being introduced, and facilities are being upgraded. This helps boost rural revitalization and increase local incomes. Currently, eight townships in Hetian County have aquatic farms that cover over 3,800 mu (about 253 hectares), establishing "aquatic farming zones" along the edge of the Taklimakan Desert.

Nestled at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains, Yapuqialike Village in Langru Township, Hetian County has taken advantage of its unique natural resources, pristine cold water, to develop a thriving cold-water fish farming industry. It has successfully bred species like salmon and sturgeon, achieving commercial-scale production.

"Last April, we released 100 kilograms of sturgeon and salmon fry, which helped boost the village collective's income by 30,000 yuan," said Wang Yu, a member of the village work team stationed by the Xinjiang Water Resources Bureau. "We've now introduced a second batch of 200 fry. Moving forward, we'll expand operations through a 'cooperative + households' business model. This will allow more villagers to participate in the industry's growth and share the benefits of development."

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