In the collective imagination, aquaculture has always been linked to the coast. However, China is proving that this association is no longer essential. In the autonomous region of Xinjiang, one of the most arid areas of the country, genuine marine farms have sprung up, capable of producing fish and shellfish hundreds of kilometres from the sea.
An aquaculture project in the middle of the desert
Xinjiang is dominated by extreme landscapes such as the Taklamakan Desert, with summers exceeding 45–50 °C and minimal rainfall. Even so, in recent years, inland aquaculture facilities have been developed there, using large artificial ponds lined with waterproof membranes and fed by water recirculation systems.
According to elDiario.es, these farms already produce hundreds of tonnes of seafood and fish per year, a figure that was unthinkable just a decade ago for a region with no coastline or maritime tradition.
Technology that replaces the ocean
The key to the project lies in technology. The ponds function as closed recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS): the water is filtered, oxygenated and its salinity and temperature are constantly adjusted. Sensors and automatic controls maintain stable conditions even when the outside climate is extreme.
According to Gizmodo Spain, more than 90% of the water is reused, which drastically reduces water consumption, a critical factor in desert areas. In addition, the water temperature is maintained within optimal ranges (20–30 °C) thanks to insulation and thermal control systems.
What species are farmed in Xinjiang?
Far from being limited to freshwater fish, these farms have managed to adapt traditionally marine species, such as shrimp, prawns, groupers and even oysters, to completely artificial environments. Technicians adjust the salinity and composition of the water to replicate specific ocean conditions.
The results are striking: some farms report survival rates of close to 99%, well above the average for more traditional aquaculture systems, according to information compiled by Gizmodo. This stability reduces losses, improves production predictability and lowers costs in the medium term.
Production and economic weight
Inland aquaculture in Xinjiang is no longer experimental. Data cited by Chinese and European media indicate that the region has reached around 196,000 tonnes of annual aquaculture production, placing it among the main producing areas in the north of the country, despite not having a coastline.
The official People's Daily Online highlights that part of this production is destined not only for the domestic market, but also for export to countries such as Russia and some European markets, confirming the commercial viability of the model.
Food security and national strategy
Such initiatives are in line with the country's broader strategy to strengthen food security and reduce pressure on coastal ecosystems, which are increasingly affected by overexploitation and pollution. Producing seafood inland brings production closer to the major consumption centres in western and northern China, reducing logistics costs and transport-related emissions.
Furthermore, as these are controlled systems, the risk of disease and spills into the natural environment, one of the main problems of intensive open sea aquaculture, is minimised.
Replicable model or exceptional case?
The Xinjiang experience raises an inevitable question: can this model be replicated in other arid countries or regions? The answer is not simple. The initial investment in technology, energy and know-how is high, and success depends on very precise control of the systems.
Even so, the project demonstrates that aquaculture is no longer limited by traditional geography. Where once there was only sand and extreme heat, today there are ponds that consistently produce marine protein. Against all odds, Xinjiang has become one of the clearest examples of how innovation can redefine what we understand by ‘marine farm’.
