Baijiao Sea Bass fueled sales as Zhuhai's 18-enterprise delegation secured 150 million yuan ($22 million) in letters of intent at the May 17-19 Asia-Pacific Aquaculture Expo 2019 & Zhuhai International Aquaculture Trade Fair.

More than 15,000 businesspeople and 200 exhibitors from across China dealt with over 100 overseas merchants from 12 countries and regions including Ecuador, Belgium, the United States, Norway, and Italy.

Sea bass cultivated in Baijiao Town of Doumen District is a famous local specialty recognized as a National Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) product. It stood out from a variety of farmed sea and freshwater fish that were displayed alongside shellfish, shrimp, and crab, as well as sun-dried, tanned, and pickled products plus condiments.

Dealers and buyers were up for talks, trade, and even tastings at the Zhuhai International Convention & Exhibition Center in Shizimen Central Business District.

Zhuhai exhibition area [Photo by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily]

The sea bass's tender flesh and succulent flavor were brought out as master chefs presented innovative seafood dishes at a cooking competition as part of the expo. Dishes based on silver perch, large yellow croakers, golden carp, groupers, South American white prawn, and other local high-quality aquatic products were also served.

Zhuhai's 405-sq m (tenth-acre) exhibition area was expressly decorated to highlight Baijiao Sea Bass. Doumen dedicates 31,000 mu (5,107 acres) to sea bass cultivation, the largest in the country, which yields annual output of 122,800 tons valued at 2.14 billion yuan ($310 million). The title "China's Land of Sea Bass" was awarded to Doumen in 2011.

Well-sorted products [Photo by Zeng Yao / Zhuhai Daily] 

Against that backdrop, Zhuhai Qiangjing Supply Chain Management and Zhuhai Chenghuifeng Agricultural Science & Technology Co, et al displayed expertise in aquaculture cultivation, processing, and distribution. The Sea Bass Branch of the China Aquatic Products Processing & Marketing Alliance and Estuarine Fishery Research Institute also launched promotions.

A display of 14 new aquacultural animal types was another highlight at the expo.

A networking event for 45 aquaculture farmers in poverty-stricken areas helped secure 31 letters of intent valued at 32 million yuan ($4.63 million).

The expo promotes the green development of aquaculture under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs. It also encompasses the Global Aquaculture Summit (GAS) 2019 and 11th China International Shrimp Industry Development Forum.