Located off the coast of Fujian Province, Pingtan Island is known for its rich marine resources and growing ocean economy. Now, a tiny marine creature is helping create new opportunities for local residents. At a seahorse breeding base in the Junshan Area, aquaculture, scientific innovation, and rural cooperation are turning seahorses into a promising industry that supports both economic growth and rural revitalization.

An aerial view of the Pubiantang Pingtan Seahorse Breeding Base

Inside the Pubiantang Pingtan Seahorse Breeding Base, rows of standardized tanks house seahorses of different sizes. The facility represents one of Pingtan's emerging marine industries, built around the island's clean waters and favorable marine environment.

The project was launched by local entrepreneur Liu Yongshou, a Pingtan native who previously worked in the medical sector. Seeing growing potential in marine biotechnology, he shifted his focus to seahorse aquaculture and returned to his hometown in 2021 as part of a broader initiative encouraging local businesspeople to invest back in Pingtan.

"Pingtan's waters are clean, with balanced salinity and high dissolved oxygen levels, providing ideal conditions for seahorse breeding and growth," Liu said.

In 2022, the company established Pingtan's first large-scale seahorse aquaculture enterprise. Rather than focusing solely on breeding, the business has developed a broader industrial chain that includes seed production, ecological farming, educational tourism, cultural and creative products, and research and development. The company has also expanded into health products and visitor experiences, both centered on seahorses.

Innovation has become a key driver of the industry's growth. The company has developed a range of seahorse-themed cultural products, including specimen displays and decorative souvenirs, creating additional value from materials generated during the breeding process.

At the same time, it has partnered with universities to improve breeding technology and upgrade seed stock. Ongoing research projects have helped address technical challenges associated with commercial seahorse farming and contributed to steadily rising production.

"Continuous research has enabled us to overcome a number of technical barriers and establish a scalable breeding model," Liu said. "We will continue investing in marine biotechnology to make Pingtan's seahorse industry more competitive."

The industry is also creating new income opportunities for local residents. This year, the company adopted a "company + cooperative + farmer" partnership model, providing participating households with juvenile seahorses, technical support, and buyback guarantees.

For local farmer Chen Huang, who joined the program this year, the results have been encouraging.

"Raising seahorses is more rewarding than working away from home. The income is both higher and more stable," he said after completing his first harvest.

With a farming cycle of about six months and stable returns, more villagers are becoming interested in the industry. Farmer Fang Chaohui said seahorse breeding allows residents to earn money close to home while spending more time with their families.

"It gives us confidence in the future," Fang said.

Liu hopes the model will allow more residents to benefit from the industry's growth while enabling the company to focus on upgrading products, expanding research, and building a distinctive marine brand for Pingtan.