A fish port in Zhoushan's Shengsi county. [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsqdxq]

Shengsi county in Zhoushan has been included on this year's list of National Agricultural Modernization Demonstration Zones, becoming one of four selected county-level regions in Zhejiang province and one of the few nationwide focused primarily on marine aquaculture.

The project will be carried out from this year through 2027, with a total planned investment of 934 million yuan (about $138 million), and will focus on developing the mussel industry chain. It aims to serve as a model for modern island fisheries and common prosperity.

Shengsi will strengthen digital management across the mussel industry chain through smart aquaculture platforms and drone-based cross-sea logistics trials, while promoting cooperation between research institutions in Shanghai and industrial applications in Shengsi.

To support long-term growth, Shengsi has mapped out 22 key projects focusing on infrastructure, processing, logistics, and ecological development. Planned investments will enhance aquaculture facilities and fishing ports, expand seafood processing capacity, promote fishery-tourism integration, and strengthen cold-chain and digital trading networks.

The county is also advancing environmental improvements and promoting sustainable aquaculture practices to support high-quality industry growth.

Shengsi has established a dedicated coordination mechanism to oversee implementation and introduced financial and policy support measures. Talent development programs are also expanding to attract scientific and technical expertise from Shanghai and Zhejiang while training a skilled local workforce for the growing mussel industry.