The Real China Aquaculture Experience

Field Trip

8-11 September 2012
Cost: $600 US dollars

Ninety percent of global aquaculture production comes from Asia and the Pacific Region. China is by far the largest producer, accounting for over 70 percent of global production (FAO 2006). China is also the cradle of aquaculture with a history of production dating as far back as 4,000 years ago. Yet very few importers/major buyers of Chinese seafood have experienced first-hand the realities of production and processing in China.

Field trip participants will gain an understanding of the challenges and lessons learned from Chinese aquaculture industry, such as quality and consistency of supply, traceability, marketing, meeting sustainability standards, price negotiation, and more. This trip is designed to show a realistic and broad view of the modern aquaculture industry in China. In keeping with the theme of the Seafood Summit, Evolving Solutions for New Horizons, the field trip aims to consider how major seafood buyers can work together with Chinese companies to improve aquaculture sustainability.

Included on the trip are a visit to China’s largest live seafood market in Guangzhou; Yangjiang Cage Culture Association farms in Zhapo Bay; the Maoming Changxing tilapia company in Maoming (processing plant); China’s largest shrimp company, Guolian, in Zhanjiang (including hatchery, ponds, labs, feed mill, and processing plant); and an Israeli experimental red tilapia and freshwater prawn farm (time permitting).

In addition to local seafood industry hosts from our field visits sites, representative(s) from the provincial level, Guangdong Fishery Bureau-Ministry of Agriculture, will accompany the field trip to provide further explanation of Chinese aquaculture management and policy.

(Space is limited to 45 participants. Cost is $600 US dollars, and you may register through our Summit registration page. A valid Chinese Tourist Visa is required for this field trip.) Tourist Visas do not require Letters of Invitation and are much quicker and easier to obtain than a Business Visas. A tourist visa will not prevent you from entering mainland China for simple business and are appropriate for the majority of foreign visitors taking this field trip. $600 Price includes round-trip transportation from the Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel in Hong Kong by coach (charter bus) for 4 days and 3 hotel nights, and includes all fees, meals and lodging. Additional or substitute travel and meal arrangements are at the participant’s expense.

General Itinerary:

Day 1 (8 Sep 2012)

Hong Kong to Guangzhou (Depart Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel in Hong Kong mid-afternoon (charter bus immediately following Seafood Summit closing ceremony mid afternoon, 2.5 hours travel time)- Tour Huangsha wholesale live seafood market, largest in China; Dinner at restaurant in the market. Overnight at Asia International Hotel

Day 2 (9 Sep 2012)

Guangzhou to Dongpin County (4 hours travel time plus boat transport) — Visit fish farming cages in Zhapo Bay; presentation by Yangjiang Cage Culture Association on farming of red drum, yellow croaker, pompano and grouper

Dongpin to Maoming (1.5 hours travel time) – Overnight at Sea View Bay Hotel

Day 3 (10 Sep 2012)

Maoming to Zhanjiang (1.5 hours travel time) – Dianbai Shengxing Foods Company tilapia processing plant (BAP 2 star certified); Tour regional shrimp trading center; Guolian shrimp headquarters, environmental labs and processing facility (BAP 4 star); Guolian shrimp farms and hatchery (BAP 4 star); Guolian feed mill and feed research facility (BAP 4 star); Overnight at Crowne Plaza Hotel

Day 4 (11 Sep 2012)

Zhanjiang to Hong Kong (8-9 hours travel time) – Arrive at Kowloon Shangri-la hotel early evening

En route – Lunch at Yangjiang Hot Spring Resort; Ben Gurion University experimental farm: red tilapia and freshwater prawn (time permitting)

For additional information, please contact Philip Chou, pchou@seaweb.org, +1 301 830 7084.