Modern Aquaculture in the Highlands: Huangnan Generates 39 Million Yuan in Output from Cold-Water Fish Industry

Huangnan. The Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province is known for its high altitude and cold climate. The Yellow River, which serves as the lifeline of this region, is fed by cold, crystal-clear, and unpolluted water, providing an excellent environment for aquatic life.

In recent years, Huangnan has leveraged its rich aquatic resources to build a modern, ecologically sound fishery industry suited to plateau conditions. Cold-water fish farming has grown steadily and become one of the fastest-growing industries in the region.

In 2025, the prefecture produced 787 tonnes of cold-water fish, generating 39 million yuan (approximately 5.73 million US dollars) in fishery output value.

Young fish released directly into the river often struggle to survive strong currents and shifting sediment because they are too small and fragile. To solve this problem, local farmers developed a two-stage model in which fish fry are first raised in land-based facilities until they reach about 0.5 kilograms in weight. Once they are strong enough, they are transferred to ecological net cages in the river. The approach has shortened the breeding cycle, improved survival rates, and boosted economic returns.