China's fisheries through the eyes of intl students

Sebastianus Ken Chandra, a 23-year-old Indonesian student at Shanghai Ocean University, received a special award as an "Impressions of China's Fisheries" international cooperation ambassador.

Jointly launched by Shanghai Ocean University, the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences and the China Overseas Fisheries Association, the "Impressions of China's Fisheries" campaign invited international students in China, foreign crew members in the distant-water fishing industry and fisheries workers worldwide to share their personal perspectives and stories about China's fishery sector.

Through short videos, stories, photographs and handicrafts, participants from 25 countries submitted more than 100 works highlighting their firsthand experiences and observations of China's efforts and achievements in sustainable fisheries and international cooperation.

At an event held on Friday at the university, 10 outstanding works received awards, while 10 creators were presented with the title of "International Cooperation Ambassador", which aims to encourage them to bridge fishery cooperation with different countries.

For Chandra, whose ancestors came from China's southeastern coast, participating in the campaign was a journey of self-discovery. Having grown up hearing stories about China, he came to the country in 2023 to pursue a bachelor's degree in aquaculture, beginning what he described as a "fulfilling, happy and knowledge-rich" experience.

Chandra said he once believed aquaculture was simply about raising fish until they grew larger. Over time, however, he learned it encompasses the entire ecosystem in which fish live.

He said he came to understand that the strength of China's fisheries industry stems from generations of people who have spent decades studying water, fish and the relationship between humanity and nature.

In his view, China's fisheries and aquaculture sector is "like a net", with one end connected to the era when his ancestors departed from China's coast and the other tied to today's advances in science, education, ecology and the future.

"What impressed me the most in China's fisheries is that tradition and modernity always go hand in hand," he said. "On one side is the wisdom of fishermen living off the sea for generations, and on the other side are sensors, data models, recirculating aquaculture systems and green farming technologies."

Another Indonesian student at the university, Abizar Dirsan Gifari, was recognized for his work on comparative research into marine ranching.

He said he was equally impressed by China's advanced technologies and commitment to sustainable fisheries.

As they approach graduation, both students said they hope to apply the knowledge they gained in China to help improve Indonesia's fisheries and aquaculture industries while serving as bridges for people-to-people exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Many other young participants from countries including Vietnam, Cambodia, Tonga, Laos, Pakistan and Ecuador also shared their impressions of China's fisheries sector.

As the Lancang-Mekong cooperation continues to deepen, Horn Songheng, a student from Cambodia, said he has seen new hope in the growing rice-shrimp fields in his hometown and for the Irrawaddy dolphins inhabiting the Mekong River.

Sheryl Chanena Haz Munoz of Ecuador said she hopes to see more seafood products from her home country enter the Chinese market as bilateral cooperation expands. She is also actively studying in China to gain knowledge that can help protect the ocean as the world's shared blue home.

Elenoa Veatokelau Dior Bloomfield, a student from Tonga, said she appreciates China's support through technology transfer and experience-sharing that have helped the Pacific island nation build a more resilient blue economy. She hopes to contribute to sustainable China-Tonga maritime cooperation.

"China and Tonga have demonstrated a new model of cooperation to the world, which is to collaborate rather than compete, to share rather than isolate, to safeguard vibrant oceans rather than let them fall into ruin. I see it exactly as the essence of building a maritime community with a shared future," Bloomfield wrote in her submission.

Chen Jianghua, director of the publicity department at Shanghai Ocean University, said the submissions focused on concrete areas of fisheries cooperation and captured numerous heartwarming moments of Chinese and international partners working together to protect the oceans.

She said the firsthand experiences and observations presented in the submitted works effectively conveyed China's philosophy of responsible, sustainable and mutually beneficial fisheries development.

During the event, young people from around the world, described as future connectors and promoters of international marine fisheries cooperation, jointly proposed the "Our Ocean, Our Future: Global Youth Marine Fisheries Governance Initiative".

The initiative advocates equity and justice, calls for strengthening multilateral platforms to address global challenges collectively, and supports the principle of achieving shared growth through consultation and collaboration.

"Marine fisheries are vital to marine ecosystems, food security and human livelihoods. The sustainable development of marine fisheries is vital to the shared future of humanity. Together, we will join hands to safeguard our ocean and build our future," the initiative said.

wangxin2@chinadaily.com.cn