China

Driving change in the world's largest seafood system

China’s seafood production, consumption, aquaculture operations and commercial fishing fleets are staggering in size. It is the world’s largest seafood trading country and home to the world’s largest wild seafood processing and re-exporting sector.

25% of the world’s commercial fishing capacity is Chinese
35% of the world’s seafood (wild and farmed combined) comes from China
5 million square miles, an area of Switzerland and Netherlands combined, are used for Chinese aquaculture production
China consumes more seafood than the next 10 countries combined

Despite the size of the Chinese seafood industry and the unique status seafood has in Chinese diet and economy, the industry as a whole lags behind many North American and West European countries and its regional neighbors from a sustainability perspective.

There is little consumer awareness or demand for sustainable seafood, government led fisheries reform often faces many barriers, there is a lack of Chinese organizations working towards seafood reform, and work to bring Chinese fisheries and aquaculture operations in line with internationally recognized best practices is limited.

Locally led. Globally connected.

Our work in China is grounded in long-term, in-country partnerships with a local NGO named Qingdao Marine Conservation Society (QMCS) and Tao Ran, a local environmental services organization. Both these entities were established with O2 support, and the partnership arrangement between O2 and these entities provides a flexible avenue to access domestic Chinese funding and operate within China legally, while maintaining a strong, accountable, and international team approach to our sustainable fisheries and seafood work in the region.

Together, we design and implement solutions that are practical, science-based, and locally relevant — working to advance fishery and aquaculture improvement efforts, support the conservation of critical marine habitats, engage seafood industry and supply chain actors, and build local capacity for lasting impact. This model allows us to drive change from within while staying aligned with global best practice.

O2+and+QMCS.png O2, QMCS, and other East Asia partners gathered during the Our Oceans Conference in Busan, South Korea in 2025.

Without a significant, concerted, and locally-led push for reform, overfishing, irresponsible aquaculture, and habitat loss and degradation in China likely will continue. Lasting progress requires more than individual projects — it requires a broader shift across systems. We support that transition by strengthening local leadership, engaging industry and government stakeholders, and demonstrating scalable models for sustainable fisheries and seafood systems.

Highlights from our work in China with local partners

Protecting China’s largest eelgrass bed

We are working with QMCS to protect the Bohai Bay eelgrass bed and the fisheries and livelihoods it supports. The eelgrass bed is the largest known eelgrass habitat in China. Spanning approximately 50 square kilometers, this ecosystem plays a critical role in supporting biodiversity, fisheries productivity, and coastal resilience. Through this initiative, we are supporting research to better understand ecosystem value and threats, advancing protection and management efforts, and engaging local communities in conservation solutions. This work reflects O2’s approach in China: science-driven, locally led, and focused on long-term impact.

Improving small pelagic fisheries

With support from an innovative multistakeholder blue finance solution, working with Tao Ran to lay the foundation for a fishery improvement effort in China’s small pelagic fisheries, such as anchovy and chub mackerel. These fisheries play a critical role in producing fishmeal and fish oil for global aquaculture, but face pressure from rising demand, climate variability, and complex supply chains. Our work focuses on scoping and developing a pathway for improvement — assessing environmental and social performance and engaging key stakeholders to build conditions needed for long-term sustainability.

Advancing responsible crab fisheries

Through our partnership with the NFI Crab Council, we are supporting improvements in the Fujian Zhangzhou Red Swimming Crab FIP — a key source of red swimming crab for global markets. The work focuses on transitioning fishery management to science-based catch management and supporting social safeguards across the supply chain, helping ensure the long-term sustainability of an important export fishery.

O2 and Tao Ran Chinese Fishery Improvement Projects:

Stories from the Field: China

Meet Qingdao Marine Conservation Society

Qingdao Marine Conservation Society (QMCS), a Chinese nonprofit, was founded by former Ocean Outcomes China Program Director Songlin Wang in 2017. QMCS is dedicated to promoting coastal and marine ecosystem conservation and advancing the sustainable seafood movement in China through scientific research, public and industry education, and the international exchange of information and knowledge. In addition to partnering with O2 in implementing a number of FIPs, QMCS conducts seafood sustainability ratings in collaboration with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch and is developing a China Seafood Sustainability Assessment and Education Program, which takes full consideration of China's uniquely rich seafood heritages and nascent sustainable seafood movement status. QMCS staff and members including marine ecologists, seafood experts, aquarium managers, educators, journalists, as well as sea and fish loving Chinese citizens. www.qmcs.org.cn/

Meet Tao Ran

Qingdao Tao Ran Environmental Science and Technology Co. Ltd (Tao Ran) was established by former Ocean Outcomes China Program Director Songlin Wang in 2016. Tao Ran provides professional strategic planning and management services to organizations dedicated to the conservation and management of aquatic environmental resources. The firm works in partnership with fisheries, the aquaculture industry and nonprofits to move the Chinese seafood industry towards a sustainable future. In addition to fishery and aquaculture improvement partnerships with Ocean Outcomes, Tao Ran works closely with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council to grow the number of Chinese farms and species certified by ASC.