Xiapu Ningde, Fujian Dec 1, 2025 – On November 29, the 9th Ningde (Xiapu) Large Yellow Croaker Industry Innovation and Development Conference took place in Xiapu County, Ningde City, Fujian Province. The event, themed “Mountain-Sea Ningde, Capital of Yellow Croaker,” formed part of Fujian Province’s initiative featuring 100 project matchmaking events dedicated to fostering the high-quality development of the marine economy. The conference’s goal is to further enhance the brand reputation of Ningde’s large yellow croaker and drive the comprehensive advancement of its industry, encompassing everything from breeding and farming to processing, sales, and brand building.

Focused on “Innovation · Development · Quality · Brand,” this year’s conference supports the wider objective of encouraging high-quality expansion within the marine economy. Through diverse and innovative activities, the event endeavors to boost the competitive edge of Ningde’s large yellow croaker sector and help the brand transcend local limits, moving consistently towards its strategic aspiration of “expanding beyond Ningde, beyond China, and onto the global stage.”

“The Industry Innovation and Development Conference functions as both an exchange platform and a collaborative bridge,” stated Zheng Zhonghui, Vice Mayor of Ningde. He highlighted that this year’s event thoroughly demonstrates the advancements in Ningde’s large yellow croaker industry and offers a significant chance to further integrate fisheries, culture, and tourism, thereby expanding possibilities for industrial growth.

During the opening ceremony, several new scientific and technological breakthroughs for the large yellow croaker industry were unveiled. These included a rapid on-site test for trypanosoma parasites, methods for creating new deep-sea aquaculture breeding lines, and essential techniques for ensuring quality and maximizing the value of farmed large yellow croaker. Furthermore, six scientific and technological collaboration agreements, three industry cooperation agreements, and two bank-enterprise partnership agreements were signed, providing a fresh impetus for the industry’s growth.

Zhu Hong, Level-Two Inspector of the Fujian Provincial Department of Ocean and Fisheries, commented, “Fujian is actively progressing with its ‘marine economy agenda’ and strategic planning for the 15th Five-Year Plan. The large yellow croaker industry is seizing new policy and market opportunities, yet it also confronts the need for upgrading and transformation, which demands robust scientific and technological backing.” He added that the conference yielded successful results and established an excellent platform poised to considerably bolster the industry’s innovation foundation and enhance reciprocal collaboration.

Organizers stated that this year’s Large Yellow Croaker Industry Innovation and Development Conference comprised both in-person and online elements. The offline part, central to the event, featured the opening ceremony and a range of activities focused on the “National Fish” brand. These included a massive tasting for tens of thousands of consumers, in-person promotions to increase yellow croaker sales, a “National Fish”-themed culinary competition, the Mindong Specialty Food Carnival, and the Ningde-Taiwan Youth Cultural and Music Festival. Collectively, these initiatives aimed to integrate industry displays, consumer engagement, and cultural exchange more deeply. The online segment concentrated on brand outreach and market connections. Starting November 1 and lasting a month, activities like “1,000 E-Commerce Hosts Promoting the National Fish,” influencer livestream broadcasts, and extensive e-commerce campaigns were initiated to boost market participation and fully revitalize the industry.

The large yellow croaker, also known as the Chinese yellow croaker, is characterized by its golden hue, reddish lips, and delicate, white, nutritious meat. In China, approximately 80% of the large yellow croakers consumed originate from Ningde. The city has evolved into the country’s primary center for breeding, aquaculture, processing, marketing, and branding of large yellow croaker, rightfully earning the designation “China’s Capital of Large Yellow Croaker.”

In recent years, Ningde has consistently pursued its “National Fish Initiative,” focusing on revitalizing seed breeding, advocating sustainable aquaculture, expanding processing and distribution networks, and intensifying promotional and marketing activities. These efforts have progressively led to the thorough modernization of the entire large yellow croaker industry chain—from fingerling cultivation and farming to processing, sales, and brand creation. In 2024, Ningde’s large yellow croaker production hit 214,900 tons, representing roughly 80% of the national output, with the industry’s total value chain surpassing RMB 20 billion. Currently, the city boasts a synchronized development model where “Fuding supports seed breeding, Xiapu leads in production volume, and Jiaocheng sustains a robust industrial chain.”

Li Shengli, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Fisheries Association, stated that the regional brand impact of Ningde’s large yellow croaker now reaches nationwide and globally. It has evolved into more than just a “fish of prosperity” that boosts local earnings and aids rural revitalization; it is also a “fish of revitalization” embodying the superior development of China’s fisheries sector, acting as a prominent “golden calling card” for the industry.

As the host for this year’s conference, Xiapu County possesses outstanding marine resources, creating an optimal environment for large yellow croaker growth and breeding. Recently, the county has continually reinforced its industrial chain: processing firms have launched novel products, e-commerce platforms have broadened sales avenues, and enhanced logistics systems have ensured large yellow croaker products reach consumers more effectively. The industry is currently flourishing on a trajectory of high-quality and sustainable advancement.

Wu Yinduo, Deputy Party Secretary of Xiapu County, declared that Xiapu views this conference as a fresh beginning to expedite the creation of a more comprehensive, robust, and competitive modern industrial chain for large yellow croaker, aiming to ensure the “National Fish” brand gains prominence nationwide and penetrates global markets.