As the first rays of sunlight crest over the snow-covered peaks of the Tianshan mountains, they cast a warm glow on the aquaculture ponds at the salmon farm in Nierke County, where vibrant salmon swim with zeal. A turn to the south reveals the expansive aquaculture hub in Yingairik Township, on the fringes of the Taklamakan Desert in Hotan County, where fresh “desert crabs” are eagerly entering the market. While most people associate Pacific white shrimp with tropical azure waters, these shrimp are thriving right in Urumqi’s Midong District, flourishing in greenhouses built on saline-alkali land.

At a crab farming base in Awsikik Town, Altay City, farmers are hard at work as August comes to a close, setting traps and harvesting crabs.

Welcome to Xinjiang, a landlocked region often dubbed “the place farthest from the sea,” where a bountiful seafood harvest is taking place, with shrimp and crabs being pulled ashore, ready to head toward the majestic Tianshan mountains.

On October 2, I had the opportunity to observe the salmon swimming contentedly in spacious nets at Nierke County’s aquaculture facility. “Each net measures about 51 meters in diameter and is 25 meters deep, covering approximately three acres. We operate 35 of these eco-friendly nets, utilizing cutting-edge digital aquaculture technologies, including water quality monitoring systems, underwater cleaning robots, and semi-closed recirculating water systems,” explained Yao Dingxiang, Vice General Manager and Board Secretary of Xinjiang Tianyun Organic Agriculture Co., Ltd. “These advancements enhance the automation, informatization, and intelligence of our production process.”

The day was marked by harmonious shouts from the fishermen as they began the harvesting process. They pulled in the fishing nets to collect the fish and activated a large suction pump, which efficiently drew the fish in. Following that, the fish were gently channeled through a circular pipe into a cooling tank. Within two hours of being harvested, the fish reached a processing facility for gutting, washing, sorting, grading, and packaging. The final products were quickly boxed and dispatched in refrigerated trucks, with a significant portion reaching markets across the country, and even some being exported to destinations like Singapore, Russia, Malaysia, and Japan. Others are further processed into fillets, fish steaks, or smoked salmon.

The impressive success of Xinjiang’s seafood industry is fueled by swift advancements in digital, intelligent, and environmentally friendly aquaculture practices.

Despite its challenging arid climate, deserts, and rocky terrains, Xinjiang boasts fantastic conditions for fish farming. Abundant cold-water resources and high-quality meltwater from the mountains create ideal conditions for cultivating coldwater fish. Moreover, the saline-alkali land has opened new opportunities for farming marine shrimp and crabs.

In early October, I visited Runze Farm in Aksu City, where the farming base had just completed cleaning its ponds for Pacific white shrimp. Farm manager Zhou Jingsen told me, “We have two ponds spanning 16 acres, drawing water from the snowmelt in the Tianshan mountains and importing shrimp fry from Hainan. Our approach is focused on ‘freshwater farming of saltwater shrimp.'”

Zhou elaborated on what “freshwater farming of saltwater shrimp” entails, stating that it involves raising shrimp in freshwater settings, which is no small feat, especially in helping the shrimp acclimate to Xinjiang’s conditions. “After we import the shrimp fry, we initially raise them in a brackish pond. We progressively introduce freshwater, reducing salinity until they can adjust to the local environment. After about seven to eight days, we transfer them to the larger farming ponds,” he added.

Interestingly, not only can saline soil support marine shrimp, but crabs have also proven to thrive in the desert. The Chinese mitten crabs from the Nanping Reservoir in Moyu County, raised over five months, are now entering the domestic fresh produce market. This success story began four years ago when Hedian Kehui Ecological Agricultural Development Co., Ltd. started cultivating Yangcheng Lake crab fry in the reservoir. Through innovative farming techniques, they have crafted a lucrative method for crab farming in arid surroundings, achieving an impressive 98% survival rate for their crab fry.

This April, the company released over 10 tons of Chinese mitten crab fry, which have now matured and are being shipped across the nation.

Meanwhile, at the Australian freshwater lobster farm in Yahu Mudan Village, Makit County, workers in boats diligently collected shrimp from netted ponds. Farm manager Wu Zhiyou remarked, “Each year from April onward, we welcome the fry and meticulously manage water quality, controlling metrics like pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels. With ongoing support from the technical team in Shandong, we continually enhance our practices, leading to a steady increase in production. Since August, we’ve harvested seven to eight tons of lobsters, which we sell regionally and beyond.”

As Xinjiang’s seafood supply system has improved, production has surged, reaching 183,900 tons in 2023, making it a leader among the five northwestern provinces. The seafood offerings in Xinjiang are varied, featuring salmon, tilapia, Pacific white shrimp, and snow crabs. These products, sourced from the base of the Tianshan mountains and the desert’s edge, are increasingly favored in the market for their unique quality.

From Altay’s crabs to Nierke’s salmon, and Aksu’s Pacific white shrimp to Makit’s Australian lobsters, Xinjiang’s seafood has transcended its regional origins, embodying the area’s natural beauty and cultural richness. It stands as a testament to Xinjiang’s potential as a window to the world, showcasing its diverse culture and ecological wonders.