In Hongqiao town, located in Changxing county, Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, local farmers recently welcomed the harvest season for giant freshwater prawns.

These giant freshwater prawns belong to a new variety developed by the Zhejiang Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute. Known for its larger size, better disease resistance, and higher market value, this breed is now extensively cultivated in Huzhou.

Huzhou's freshwater fishery industry ranks among Zhejiang's top in terms of output and scale. Moreover, Nanxun district, Deqing county, and Changxing county in Huzhou have all become part of national green circular fishery projects.

With an investment of 1 billion yuan ($140.55 million), Huzhou is focusing on germplasm innovation, standardized pond renovation, industrialized facility fisheries, and aquatic product processing. The city's total fishery output is expected to exceed 10 billion yuan this year.

The Deqing base of Zhejiang Aquatic Seed Industry Company breeds over 1 billion giant freshwater prawn seedlings annually, supplying nationwide. In fact, Huzhou is now the largest distribution center for giant freshwater prawn seedlings in China.

In Deqing county's Qianyuan town, the Common Prosperity Digital Fishery Warehouse has over 300 intelligent tanks with automatic feeders. This project is in trial operation and will be fully operational by March next year, with an expected annual output value of 300 million yuan.

Huzhou is promoting eco-friendly aquaculture and has established a seafood sorting center, fostering partnerships between aquaculture enterprises and large supermarkets to deliver more fish and prawns to customers.