Saccharina japonica Industry in China: Status, Challenges and Solutions

Saccharina japonica is a cold-water macroalga mainly distributed in the coastal areas of the North Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, and it is one of the seaweed varieties with the largest culture production in the world. S. japonica cultivation plays a pivotal role in the aquaculture industry of China's coastal provinces. In recent decades, China's S. japonica production has steadily increased, and the country has become the largest producer and exporter of S. japonica in the world. This paper presents in detail the development status of China's S. japonica industry from the aspects of S. japonica varieties, main production areas, culture production and area, seedings, processing, brands, import and export trade, culture models and disease. The paper further discusses the challenges faced in the development of China's S. japonica industry and proposes a series of strategic solutions to foster its sustainable growth. These efforts aim to provide Chinese experiences and viable strategies for other S. japonica farming countries in the world.