From August 14^th to 16^th, an ecological exploration group made up of media reporters from central, provincial, and local outlets, along with photography experts, young students, and international students from Hong Kong and Macao, ventured into Zhanjiang. Their mission was to catch a glimpse of the elusive Chinese white dolphin, known as the "treasure of the sea", and to witness Zhanjiang's achievements in oceanic ecological protection.

During the three-day event, the group visited Leizhou Bay , where they encountered the rare Chinese white dolphin, strolled through lush mangrove forests, explored the deep-sea aquaculture platform "Hengyi No. 1" and its "donut-shaped" ocean farm, which is yielding a bumper harvest. They also attended the official start of the fishing season, watching as hundreds of fishing boats set sail across the water.

The "sea treasure" dances gracefully

A group of Chinese white dolphins frolicked in the waters of Leizhou Bay, their sleek dorsal and tail fins cutting through the surface and creating shimmering ripples across the ocean. The sight painted a vivid picture of marine life against the backdrop of Zhanjiang's coast.

"Wow, pink dolphins!" exclaimed Julie, an international student from the Solomon Islands , where dolphins are common, but she had never seen pink ones before.

Why are those Chinese white dolphins pink? "Their skin turns pink when the blood vessels under the skin are engorged," explained Yang Feng, a senior engineer at the Zhanjiang Ocean and Fishery Bureau . He added that the Chinese white dolphin is a flagship and indicator species of coastal marine ecosystems, serving as a living measure of the ocean's ecological health.

Zhanjiang's Leizhou Peninsula is dotted with islands and reefs, making it an ideal breeding ground for this rare species. With nearly a thousand Chinese white dolphins in the region, Leizhou's population ranks among the largest in the country.

The "sea forest" tells an ecological tale

In Zhanjiang, one can encounter both beautiful marine creatures and the vast expanses of mangrove forests. In recent years, the city has gained attention for its excellent ecological environment and abundant forest resources.

At the Jinniu Islan d area, miles of dense, thriving mangroves stretch out, showcasing species like Bruguiera gymnorrhiza , Rhizophora stylosa , Kandelia candel , and Sonneratia apetala .

"Mangroves help protect against wind and waves, purify seawater, and serve as sanctuaries for wetland bird species, making them a paradise for wildlife and a prime destination for eco-tourism and research," said Wu Xiaodong, head of research and education at the Guangdong Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve . This "sea forest" shields the local population from coastal erosion, while providing rich yields of fish, shrimp, oysters, and crabs, attracting rare birds such as egrets, cranes, and spoon-billed sandpipers .

Together, the white dolphins and mangroves weave a vibrant ecological tapestry, reflecting both the beauty of oceanic civilization and the ideal of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

The "ocean ranches" drive industry upgrades

On the morning of August 16^th, the 2024 "Delicious Zhanjiang" seafood festiva l and the official opening of the fishing season were celebrated at Zhanjiang Merchants International Cruise City. Thousands of fishing boats lined up at the docks, ready to set sail after a three-and-a-half-month fishing ban. The excitement was palpable as fishermen once again prepared to embark on their long-awaited voyages.

"We hope everyone will help protect the marine environment and come to Zhanjiang to see the white dolphins!" said Yang Guanyu, owner of the Guangdong fishing boat "Yue Xia Yu 80066." He emphasized the close connection between marine ecology and their harvests, as their freshly caught seafood is directly supplied to local shops for people to enjoy.

Fishing culture has been a key part of China's agricultural heritage for centuries, contributing to a rich tradition of both material and intangible cultural practices. Today, with the transformation and upgrading of fisheries, oceanic aquaculture is advancing toward high-quality development.

Amid the South China Sea 's blue waves, the "Hengyi No. 1" deep-sea aquaculture platform operates like a treasure trove. One by one, as the crew pulled in the nets, baskets of plump fish emerged from the waters.

Guangdong Evergreen Feed Industry Co., Ltd. ("Hengxing Group") has made remarkable progress at the National "863 Program" marine aquaculture seed project South Base . "We developed 'Zhongxing No. 1', China's first disease-resistant strain of Pacific white shrimp, filling a crucial gap in domestic shrimp breeding," said Zhou Jianxi, deputy secretary of the Hengxing Group's Party branch and secretary-general of the China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Alliance 's Golden Pompano Branch. This breakthrough in disease-resistant shrimp strains not only improves shrimp quality and yield but also solves critical bottlenecks in the development of shrimp industry.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

邂逅中华白海豚！探寻湛江海洋生态发展“密码”

8月14日—16日，由中央、省、市以及港澳媒体记者和摄影名家、青年学生、留学生等组成的“白海豚之约”生态采风团走进了湛江，探寻中华白海豚这一神秘的海上精灵，“湛”放海洋生态保护成果。

在为期三天的活动中，采风团走进雷州湾，邂逅“海上国宝”中华白海豚；游览于红树林，在大自然中吸氧慢行；探访深海养殖平台“恒燚一号”，“甜甜圈”海洋牧场迎丰收；参加开渔节启动仪式，现场见证渔船千帆竞发……来自北纬20°13′14的碧海蓝天画卷徐徐展开。

“海上国宝”邂逅精灵之舞

中华白海豚“组团”出游，在海面上自由嬉戏。它们优雅的背鳍和尾鳍划过水面，溅起晶莹的水花，激荡出层层涟漪，为湛江雷州湾描绘出一幅生动的海洋画卷。

“哇！是粉海豚！”来自来自所罗门群岛的留学生茱莉惊喜地分享，所罗门群岛坐落在南太平洋上，在海边长大的她经常看见海豚，但是却从来没有看见到粉色的海豚。

为什么有粉红色的中华白海豚？“当皮下的毛细血管充血时，中华白海豚外表的皮肤就会变成粉红色。”湛江市海洋与渔业局高级工程师杨锋告诉记者，中华白海豚是近岸海洋生态系统的旗舰物种和指示物种，是衡量海洋生态环境的“活指标”。

湛江雷州半岛的近海散布着众多岛屿和岛礁，稀有的中华白海豚在此健康繁衍，其种群数量位居全国前列。中华白海豚在全世界仅 6000 多只，其中近千只聚集在雷州半岛近海。

“海上森林”描绘生态画卷

在这里，既可以可以遇见美丽生灵，也可以在红树林里尽情吸氧。近年来，湛江凭借着良好的生态环境、得天独厚的森林资源走进大众视野。

走进金牛岛片区原生态红树林，生长茂盛的红树林连绵几公里，郁郁葱葱，木榄、红海榄、秋茄、无瓣海桑等多种多样红树林映入记者眼帘。

“红树林可以防风护浪，有一定的净化海水的功能，是湿地鸟类的乐园，也是人类研学旅游的圣地。”广东湛江红树林国家级自然保护区管理局科研宣教科科长吴晓东介绍，这片“海上森林”保护着这方百姓不被海侵蚀，盛产各类鱼虾、贝、生蚝、青蟹，物产丰富，吸引多种多样珍稀的鸟类如白鹭、青鹤、勺嘴鹬等到此栖息。

白海豚与红树林共同绘就了绿水青山的生态底色，不仅描绘出海洋生态文明的美丽图景，更生动诠释了人与自然和谐共生的愿景。

“海洋牧场”助力产业升级

8月16日上午，2024年“鲜美湛江”海鲜美食放送季活动暨湛江开渔仪式在湛江招商国际邮轮城举行。上千艘渔船，在码头一字排开，整装待发......时隔3个半月的休渔期，渔民们再次登上阔别已久的渔船扬帆远航。

“希望大家保护海洋生态环境，一起来湛江看白海豚！”粤霞渔80066船主杨观玉也是今天出海的渔民之一，他告诉记者海洋生态环境跟他们的收成息息相关，每次出海收获的鲜美海鲜直接供应到当地商铺里，供市民尝鲜。

“渔文化”是我国农业文化的重要组成部分，千百年来的渔业发展孕育了丰富的物质和非物质文化。如今，随着渔业的转型升级，现代化海水养殖正迈向高质量发展的新台阶。

在南海碧波之上，深海养殖平台“恒燚一号”的一个个养殖网箱犹如一个个聚宝盘，随着养殖人员缓缓收起渔网一筐筐肥美的海鱼浮出海面。

国家863计划项目海水养殖种子工程南方基地耕耘多年并屡获丰硕成果。恒兴集团党支部副书记、中国水产流通与加工协会金鲳鱼分会秘书长周剑熙介绍道：“我们选育的‘中兴1号’是国家认定的首个南美白对虾抗病新品种，填补了国内南美白对虾种虾的空白。”在抗弧菌新品系选育的关键性突破中，恒兴集团不仅提升了虾的品质和产量，还成功破解了虾种业发展的“卡脖子”难题。

文｜记者 刘泳希
图｜记者 温泽广
翻译 | 赵凡
英文审校 | 林佳岱