Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences
Encyclopedia
The Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS) is a large fisheries research institute. It was founded in 1978 under the Ministry of Agriculture
in the People's Republic of China. It is a leading research institution in China, active in almost all research areas to do with aquaculture
and marine and freshwater fisheries.
CAFS sponsors the award winning international academic periodical Journal of Fishery Sciences of China. It has completed over 1,000 research projects, including a study on the aquaculture of the fleshy prawn Peneaus chinensis
and the control of haemorrhage disease in grass carp
, which won the National Scientific and Technological Progress First Prize. The institute has contributed significantly to China's aquaculture development.
in the fifth century BC details many of the ways carp
were raised in ponds
. The major carp species used traditionally in Chinese aquaculture are the black
, grass
, silver
and bighead carp
. In the 1950s, the Pearl River Fishery Research Institute of CAFS made a technological breakthrough in the induced breeding
of these carps, which has resulted in a rapid expansion of freshwater aquaculture in China.
In the late 1990s, CAFS scientists developed a new variant of the common carp
called the Jian carp. This succulent fish grows rapidly and has a high feed conversion rate. Over 50% of the total aquaculture production of carp in China has now converted to Jian carp.
The Chinese sturgeon
is an endangered species native to China. It is strictly protected by the Chinese government, who have declared it a national treasure. The Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute of CAFS is breeding sturgeons in captivity in an attempt to restore the river population before the species disappears. Some success has been claimed from artificial inducement for spawning and stream discharge for incubation. During the course of the project, 5 million fish bred in captivity have been released into the wild. In 2005, to mark the twentieth anniversary of China's efforts to protect the species, 10,000 sturgeon fry, 200 junior sturgeon and two adult fish were released into the Yangtze River
at Yichang
. However, in 2007, 14 young sturgeon were surveyed near the mouth of Yangtze compared with 600 the year before, causing concern that the battle was being lost in the crowded and polluted Yangtze River.
Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China
The Ministry of Agriculture is an executive state agency within the government of the People's Republic of China. Areas of responsibility includes agriculture and environmental issues relating to agriculture, fishery, consumer affairs, animal husbandry, horticulture, animal welfare, foodstuffs,...
in the People's Republic of China. It is a leading research institution in China, active in almost all research areas to do with aquaculture
Aquaculture
Aquaculture, also known as aquafarming, is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants. Aquaculture involves cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations under controlled conditions, and can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is the...
and marine and freshwater fisheries.
CAFS sponsors the award winning international academic periodical Journal of Fishery Sciences of China. It has completed over 1,000 research projects, including a study on the aquaculture of the fleshy prawn Peneaus chinensis
Penaeus
Penaeus is a genus of prawns, including the giant tiger prawn , the most important species of farmed crustacean worldwide. The genus has been reorganised following a proposition of Pérez Farfante and Kensley based on morphological differences, in particular the genital characteristics of these...
and the control of haemorrhage disease in grass carp
Grass carp
The grass carp is a herbivorous, freshwater fish species of family Cyprinidae, and the only species of the genus Ctenopharyngodon. It is cultivated in China for food, but was introduced in Europe and the United States for aquatic weed control...
, which won the National Scientific and Technological Progress First Prize. The institute has contributed significantly to China's aquaculture development.
Activities
Aquaculture has been pursued in China for at least 2,400 years. A tract by Fan LiFan Li
Fan Li was an ancient Chinese advisor in the state of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Period. He had been to the state of Wu as hostage together with King Goujian of Yue. Three years later they came back and he helped Goujian to carry on a reform. At last Yue was able to defeat the state of Wu. After...
in the fifth century BC details many of the ways carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
were raised in ponds
Fish pond
A fish pond, or fishpond, is a controlled pond, artificial lake, or reservoir that is stocked with fish and is used in aquaculture for fish farming, or is used for recreational fishing or for ornamental purposes...
. The major carp species used traditionally in Chinese aquaculture are the black
Black carp
The black carp is a species of cyprinid fish indigenous to China, and widely cultivated for food and Chinese medicine. It is the sole species of the genus Mylopharyngodon. The black carp grows to a length of up to three feet , and over 70 pounds , generally feeding on snails and mussels...
, grass
Grass carp
The grass carp is a herbivorous, freshwater fish species of family Cyprinidae, and the only species of the genus Ctenopharyngodon. It is cultivated in China for food, but was introduced in Europe and the United States for aquatic weed control...
, silver
Silver carp
The silver carp is a species of freshwater cyprinid fish, a variety of Asian carp native to north and northeast Asia. It is cultivated in China....
and bighead carp
Bighead carp
The bighead carp is a freshwater fish, one of several Asian carps. It has a large, scaleless head, a large mouth, and eyes located very low on the head. Adults usually have a mottled silver-gray coloration. Adults can be quite large...
. In the 1950s, the Pearl River Fishery Research Institute of CAFS made a technological breakthrough in the induced breeding
Breeding
Breeding is the reproduction, that is, producing of offspring, usually animals or plants:* Breeding in the wild, the natural process of reproduction in the animal kingdom* Animal husbandry, through selected specimens such as dogs, horses, and rabbits...
of these carps, which has resulted in a rapid expansion of freshwater aquaculture in China.
| The major traditional aquaculture carp of China | |||
|---|---|---|---|
In the late 1990s, CAFS scientists developed a new variant of the common carp
Common carp
The Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...
called the Jian carp. This succulent fish grows rapidly and has a high feed conversion rate. Over 50% of the total aquaculture production of carp in China has now converted to Jian carp.
The Chinese sturgeon
Chinese Sturgeon
The Chinese Sturgeon is a member of the family Acipenseridae and the order Acipenseriformes.It is thought to have lived at the same time as dinosaurs, dating back to a period 140 million years ago. Because of that, it is sometimes also known as a living fossil...
is an endangered species native to China. It is strictly protected by the Chinese government, who have declared it a national treasure. The Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute of CAFS is breeding sturgeons in captivity in an attempt to restore the river population before the species disappears. Some success has been claimed from artificial inducement for spawning and stream discharge for incubation. During the course of the project, 5 million fish bred in captivity have been released into the wild. In 2005, to mark the twentieth anniversary of China's efforts to protect the species, 10,000 sturgeon fry, 200 junior sturgeon and two adult fish were released into the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
at Yichang
Yichang
Yichang is a prefecture-level city located in Hubei province of the People's Republic of China. It is the second largest city in Hubei province after the province capital, Wuhan. The Three Gorges Dam is located within its administrative area, in Yiling District.-History:In ancient times Yichang...
. However, in 2007, 14 young sturgeon were surveyed near the mouth of Yangtze compared with 600 the year before, causing concern that the battle was being lost in the crowded and polluted Yangtze River.
Structure
CAFS has its headquarters in Beijing. Across China, it operates nine fisheries research institutes and four fisheries resources enhancement stations.| |
||
| Sea areas | Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute | Qingdao, Shandong province |
| East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute | Shanghai Shanghai Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010... city |
|
| South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute | Guangzhou, Guangdong province | |
| Inland areas | Helongjiang Fisheries Research Institute | Harbin, Helongjiang province |
| Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute | Jingzhou, Hubei province | |
| Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute | Guangzhou, Guangdong province | |
| Freshwater Fisheries Research Center | Wuxi, Jiangsu province | |
| Engineering | Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute | Shanghai city |
| Fishery Engineering Research Institute | Wuxi Jiangsu province | |
| Marine resource enhancement |
Qinhuangdao, Hebei province | |
| Changdao, Shandong province | ||
| Yinkou, Liaoning province | ||
| Changyi, Shandong province |
Some associated publications
- Chen D, Duan X, Liu S and Shi W (2003) Status and Management of Fishery Resources of the Yangtze River In: Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on the Management of Large Rivers for Fisheries. FAO Corporate Document Repository.
- Yulin J (1996) A Review of Traditional and Innovative Aquaculture Health Management in the People's Republic of China In: Health management in Asian aquaculture, FAO Corporate Document Repository. ISBN 92-5-103917-8.
External links
- Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences main web site