In recent years, as seafood markets and supermarket stalls have become more popular, consumers often ask whether the seafood they are buying is wild or farmed. This concern has grown especially in cities like Shanghai and Beijing, following reports about turbot (also known as "treasure fish") being found with "banned drugs." These incidents have raised questions about the safety of seafood products. But what exactly is farmed seafood, and how does it differ from wild-caught? Is farmed seafood less safe? To address these concerns, a reporter recently spoke with several marine fisheries experts.
So, which seafood can’t be farmed? According to Yu Guiyun, director of the Fisheries Department at the Provincial Oceanic and Fisheries Bureau, certain species such as striped bass, squid, sardines, mackerel, and small yellow croakers are typically not farmed. On the other hand, species like salmon, black sea bream, yellow croaker, six-line fish, crabs, and sea bream are mostly farmed. Additionally, species such as turbot, semi-smooth tongue, and some types of shellfish are commonly cultivated.
Hairtail and squid are among the most commonly consumed seafood. According to Yu, the annual catch of hairtail in the province is 126,000 tons, mainly coming from Zhejiang Zhoushan, Fujian offshore, and Shidao in the province. While octopus used to be abundant in the Bohai Bay, its numbers have significantly decreased. Squid, on the other hand, are all caught from coastal waters, with an annual catch of 188,000 tons, making it the top marine fish by production.
Yu also mentioned that among the marine products harvested, carp accounts for 153,000 tons, small yellow croaker for 90,000 tons, and shrimp for 560,000 tons. Over 90% of sea lice are naturally caught, while prawns, with an annual output of 44,000 tons, are primarily farmed. Crabs, with an annual catch of 28,000 tons, have a significant portion bred in captivity. River crabs are mostly farmed, while the famous Laizhou Leizi Crab is naturally grown in the sea. In recent years, the province has implemented large-scale releases of crabs into the ocean, followed by recapture.
According to statistics, the province produces 1.73 million tons of seawater fish annually, with 1.61 million tons being wild-caught and the rest farmed.
Some consumers believe that farmed seafood is inferior to wild-caught. However, Li Lujing, a researcher at the Provincial Fishery Technology Promotion Station, says this is a misunderstanding. Many farmed species, such as squid and black sea bream, are raised in deep-sea cages that mimic natural conditions. Shellfish like scallops are also grown under natural conditions. Most pond-raised fish and shrimp are farmed in controlled environments with better water quality than natural settings.
There are also myths about farmed seafood being filled with drugs. Li clarified that shrimp tigers are all wild-caught, and yellow crabs are selected from a large number of wild crabs. He also explained that healthy farming methods are widely practiced in the province. These include using disease-free seedlings, high-quality feed, and controlled environments to ensure optimal growth and reduce disease risk.
One of the advanced methods is factory aquaculture, which involves specialized facilities, water quality control, temperature regulation, and automated monitoring systems. This modern approach integrates industrialization, mechanization, and automation, leading to higher productivity and better quality. Most of the province's turbot is produced through factory farming.
Industrialized aquaculture began in the 1960s and has since become a global leader. It now includes not only fish but also shrimp, crabs, shellfish, and even algae.
Another method is deep-water farming, where cages are placed in deeper waters away from the coast. This method benefits from cleaner water, abundant natural food, and lower pollution levels. The province currently has 1,870 deep-water cages, the highest number in the country, with species like turbot, sea bream, and grouper being farmed in this way.
Despite Japan’s strict food standards, Shandong’s aquatic products continue to export successfully. The province leads the nation in both output and exports, with over 482,000 tons exported in the first half of the year, earning $1.45 billion. The government has implemented numerous measures to ensure product safety, including setting local fishery standards, establishing breeding bases, and intensifying drug use inspections.
Currently, 380 enterprises are registered with commodity inspection, and 330 have passed international quality certifications. The Shandong Aquatic Products Quality Inspection Center was established, along with inspection agencies in six municipalities. A disease monitoring system has been set up across 375 points in 82 counties, ensuring consistent quality improvements. In 2006, the drug residue qualification rate reached 96.6%, showing a steady rise in safety and quality.
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