CBCGDF Expert SHEN Yihang: "Mirage" Becomes Reality? 100,000 Marine Fish "Settled" in Xinjiang's Taklimakan Desert

In the summer of 2024, in an aquaculture base in Qiemo County, Xinjiang, 100,000 golden pompano(Trachinotus ovatus), grouper(Epinephelinae) and other marine fish fry settled in the desert. These "ocean residents" not only survived, but also grew fat and strong.

According to reports, this seemingly "impossible" task was achieved thanks to the technological innovation of a breeding company. They cleverly used local water resources to simulate the marine environment and create a comfortable home for the fish. Through the intelligent temperature control system, the water temperature of the fish pond is always kept within the temperature range suitable for fish growth, solving the problem of alternating high and low temperatures in the desert.

In addition to breeding fish, the company also tried to breed other aquatic products such as pearl oysters and oysters. These attempts have achieved initial success and provided new ideas for the development of the local aquaculture industry. 

Breeding marine fish in the Taklimakan Desert is a bold ecological experiment. Expanding aquaculture from traditional coastal areas to inland desert areas has undoubtedly provided new ideas for the global aquaculture industry and valuable experience for humans to carry out agricultural production in extreme environments. Moreover, in the context of increasingly tight land resources, desert aquaculture provides new possibilities for increasing global food supply.

In general, I would like to give a thumbs up to this innovation. However, I still have a few questions.First, the news mentioned the use of the water source of the Qarqan River.Second, the issue of water quality assurance. Groundwater in desert areas often contains high salt and minerals. Will the long-term use of this water source pollute the water quality of aquaculture water bodies? Conversely, will the discharge of aquaculture wastewater pollute local water sources?

Third, will the introduction of marine fish into desert areas pose a potential threat to the local ecosystem? For example, if there are escaped fish from aquaculture, will it have a negative impact on local biodiversity?

Fourth, the issue of cost-effectiveness. The success of desert aquaculture may attract more investors to enter this field. However, large-scale marine fish farming in desert areas requires a lot of capital and technology. Can its economic benefits be maintained for a long time?

Fifth, the issue of resource allocation. In the context of increasingly tight water resources (especially in Xinjiang), is it reasonable to use a large amount of water resources for breeding marine fish? What is the carbon footprint of the fish raised in this way?

Sixth, how to control the risk of disease. We know that generally speaking, in a closed breeding system, the risk of disease transmission will be greatly increased. How to effectively prevent and control the occurrence of diseases may be an issue that needs attention.

Original article:https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/uMsXYejBg85UGcsw-4EdzA

Translator: Daisy

Checked by Sara

Editor: Daisy

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