A crane is moving seaweed, which is commonly used in local cuisine, near a fishery dock in Lianjiang county. By HUMEIDONG/CHINA DAILY

"That hinders the long-term development of the marine industry," he said.

Lin added that in recent years, the county has promoted ecological aquaculture platforms, so aquaculture can be gradually shifted to the deep sea.

"The campaign reduces aquaculture density close to the shore, allowing aquatic products such as croakers to grow in a purely natural seawater environment, a practice that improves meat quality and taste," he said.

China laid out its ambition to build "modern sea farms" in the No 1 Central Document last year.

The document is the first policy statement released annually by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, China's Cabinet, and has long served as an indicator of government priorities.

In June, six departments led by the agriculture ministry issued a guideline to speed up the construction of deep-sea farms and step up the creation of cages and other smart equipment needed to run such farms.

In this year's No 1 Central Document, which was released in February, authorities reiterated its support for deep-sea aquaculture.

It called for a "macro food perspective" and asked local authorities to expand food sources and explore a comprehensive food monitoring and statistical system.