Living off the sea comes naturally to the islanders on Pingtan. Tan Laver is a premium laver variety indigenous to Pingtan Island, an island off E China's Fujian Province. Named after Haitan Island, a nickname of Pingtan, the laver is a well-known geographical indication product well-loved by the locals here.

Recently, reporters from Pingtan CMC visited the breeding base to get a first-hand revolutionary R&D experience of the local breeding industry.

"How's it going? Have you managed to get your hands on some first-harvest laver? I got mine!"

After the laver hits the local market, housewives always gather to check which lucky household gets the first laver of the year. Though an expert navigating where to source the best laver in the market, most locals have no idea that the laver comes from the same seedling- Gao Liang No.1.  

The birth of the "Gao Liang No. 1" is the result of enterprise-university cooperation.

In 1999, two special science commissioners from Xiamen University were stationed in Pingtan. Together with Gao Lihua, head of the R&D team of Pingtan Aquatic Experimental Field, they decided to improve laver seedlings.

First, they ventured deep into the waters of Pingtan for wild laver samples. The cells of the laver were dissected, synthesized, and later distributed to local laver farmers in various parts across the island.

Three years later, a well-received “Gao Liang No.1” made a firm foothold in the market. In the same year, they succeeded in cultivating “Gao Liang No.2.” Cultivated in different breeding grounds, both varieties have their unique flavor profiles.

Farmers from Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces heard of the new variety and came to buy seedlings. Since then, Pingtan’s laver has become known nationwide.

In 2002, “Gao Liang No.1” was honored as a “National Key New Product.” In 2004, both seedlings were awarded the “Fujian Provincial Key New Product.” In 2020, the promotion of Tan Laver won the first prize in the Fan Li Science and Technology Awards under the China Society of Fisheries.

“These honors are a recognition of Pingtan’s laver and an encouragement to us,” said Gao Lihua.

Over the years, “Gao Liang No.1” has made it to the dinner tables of numerous households and become the “patriarch” of upcoming new breeds. “Currently, we are developing four new seedlings,” said Gao.  

Behind the launch of the new seedlings, strong technical support is a drive. 

"When the seedlings are sick, institutes of higher learning will bring them back and fix the problems. Thanks to their support, we can take a leap of faith," said Yang Wenqing, general manager of Pingtan Aquatic Products Experimental Co., Ltd.

“In addition to making laver soup, it can be processed into many products, such as laver biscuits, canned laver, and laver sauce. We have founded a company to prefabricate laver,” added Yang.

Gao stressed that with continuous scientific and technological innovations, Pingtan’s laver can walk further. 

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