In the arid landscapes of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a silent revolution is unfolding beneath rivers, lakes and even reclaimed salt-alkali plains. Once unlikely for fish farming, this region now leads the nation in cold-water aquaculture.
Data from the first half of 2025 reveal a total output of 74,800 tons—a 6.49% increase year-on-year. Salmon takes center stage, with over 5,000 tons produced. The Ili River Valley alone accounts for more than 80% of that yield, thanks to expanded deep-water cage projects in Gongliu County and pristine glacial waters brimming with millions of released fry.
But the story doesn’t end with salmon. Rainbow trout, golden trout, pike, shrimp and crayfish thrive across diverse eco-zones. Snow-fed streams in Tekes sustain cold-water fish, while the desert edges of Shache and Jinghe have been transformed into “blue granaries”—salt-alkali soils rejuvenated for shrimp and crayfish farms through advanced water-quality regulation.
Central to this success is the region’s resource advantage. Over 46 million mu of fishable waters feed from Tianshan snowmelt, offering oxygen-rich, stable temperatures ideal for delicate species. To harness this, local farms have rolled out smart aquaculture systems: sensors monitor 12 water parameters, automatically adjusting feeding and aeration. This digital integration has cut labor by almost one-third while boosting yields and quality.
Breakthroughs in seed technology have sealed Xinjiang’s leadership. After decades relying on imported eggs and fry, the region now boasts homegrown salmon breeding bases and artificial propagation of triploid rainbow trout. This genetic leap not only ensures seed independence but sets a national benchmark for inland aquaculture.
Yet perhaps the most striking achievement is the balance between growth and ecology. Annual fish stocking has reintroduced native species into the Ili River, while cage farming systems minimize pollution and safeguard water clarity. Sayram Lake’s turquoise depths now stretch 16 meters beneath the surface—supporting both fisheries and eco-tourism in harmony with nature.
Xinjiang’s aquaculture model offers a global blueprint: harness natural assets, embrace digital innovation, and prioritize environmental stewardship. As young entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts and changemakers look for sustainable solutions, this “blue granary” shows what’s possible when tradition and technology swim together towards a brighter future.
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Xinjiang's aquaculture: From snow-fed rivers to blue granaries
cgtn.com
