An aerial photo of Lianjiang national abalone breeding demonstration base in Fujian province. [Photo by Yang Liuzhou/Fujian Daily]

Aquatic products exports in Fujian province exceeded $7 billion in 2021, ranking first nationwide for nine consecutive years, the provincial bureau of ocean and fisheries announced at a work conference on Jan 25.

The province's gross ocean production was estimated to exceed 1.1 trillion yuan ($172.84 billion) in 2021.

The province generated 8.53 million tons of aquatic products in 2021, up nearly 2.4 percent from that in 2020, and the net per capita income of fishermen was 25,800 yuan, up 6.5 percent.

The province's marine economy also showed a steady development last year. For instance, the province implemented over 300 marine economy projects worth 285.5 billion yuan as well as established 13 sets of far-reaching marine aquaculture facilities.

Behind the province's thriving marine economy was the industrial integration to improve quality and efficiency of the industry such as upgrading 34 offshore fishing boats, and implementing services for the wellbeing of workers such as fishing insurance.

This year, Fujian province will keep beefing up its efforts to boost high-quality development of the marine economy as well as strive to generate over 1.2 trillion yuan from the province's gross ocean production and increase the aquatic products by about 2 percent to 8.7 million tons.

To achieve these goals, policies will be implemented in key sectors including fishery aquaculture transformation, pelagic fishery, and fishing port construction.