Legal Due Diligence in Private Security Operations
The spirit of #BlueSecurity demonstrates the respect for an Individual’s rights in a complex environment of international legal regimes. The constant instability caused by piracy and threats of violence on shipping routes prudent security management and a solid legal awareness to be able to react to changing security situations. The complex interplay of different legal […]The Unexpected Dimension of Autonomous Aquafarming

China Launches Autonomous Offshore Aqua Farm: A Game-Changer for Aquaculture?
A recent industry newsletter covered an exciting story: China has introduced an autonomous offshore aqua farm in the resource-rich Liusha Bay area in the South China Sea. While this step forward in aquaculture technology is significant, the innovation raises key questions: how will China’s new approach impact sustainability, operational efficiency, and the global aquaculture market? Is this a great discovery of new innovative BlueTech?
Traditional offshore fish farming, like Iceland’s salmon aquafarming by Arnarlax or Germany’s indoor shrimp farming by Neue Meere, relies heavily on human oversight. These methods demand intensive supervision to ensure animal welfare and minimise environmental impact. In contrast, autonomous offshore breeding facilities could revolutionise the industry by reducing manual intervention.
A Seafood Aircraft Carrier
The article in Baird Maritime piqued our curiosity and prompted us to do further research on Zhannnong 1, the official name of the facility to be positioned in the South China Sea, although publicly available Chinese sources were limited and repetitive.
The information, while sparse, is astonishing: the platform measures 90 metres long, 58 metres wide, and 12 metres high, with legs extending to a height of 47 metres. It features a breeding cage with a capacity equivalent to 25 standard swimming pools, or 62,000 cubic metres.

Technical Features
According to media reports, four key features stand out:
- The facility can produce an annual estimate of 1,000 tons of fish, generating approximately USD 2.7 million in economic benefits.
- The installation can withstand winds up to level 17, ensuring high safety standards.
- It incorporates clean solar energy and double-layer net structures, which help reduce pollution and minimise the risk of fish escaping, supporting marine conservation and environmental protection.
- The multi-layer net cage design enables multi-species farming and zonal lifting, allowing it to adapt to different water depths and improve aquaculture efficiency.
Reports suggest an investment of around USD 4.5 million for this platform, which has an expected lifespan of 25 years. Each platform is equipped with automatic feeders, net scrubbers, photovoltaic systems, and Internet-of-Things information systems. It also includes an independent lifting mechanism to protect the aquaculture from typhoons and extreme weather. Additionally, the platform supports space for staffing, aquafarm monitoring, goods delivery, and even recreational fishing.

The platform carries large-scale cages that can be deployed in various areas and water depths. It supports the breeding of high-value seafood like golden pomfret, cobia, and octopus – key species for sustainable aquaculture.
Its features prioritise safety, fishery standards, economic efficiency, and environmental protection. According to Chinese sources this innovation can ensure national food security while promoting the development of ecological civilization.
A Blessing or a Potemkin Facade
Zhannong No. 1 is probably a regional blessing and no Potemkin facade of ground-breaking innovations for food security. The innovative ‘autonomous feature‘ is not about removing direct facility control from the breeding platform. Instead, it automates the adjustment of rearing tanks, raising or lowering them as needed. This helps protect both the fish and the installation. Apparently, stationary large tanks for fish rearing are already common in the South China Sea, seen in other types of semi-submergible platform.
The Unexpected in a Nutshell
We were prepared to partner with MarFishEco, combining expertise to analyse the supply chain, animal welfare of Zhannong No. 1. And we were ready to evaluate the maritime spatial competition, sustainability management, and food security.
From the perspective of BlueSecurity, it is not a revolutionary breakthrough in aquafarming, particularly in terms of environmental protection, marine conservation, and food security as initially suggested. However, it remains a noteworthy discovery of innovative BlueTech.
The initial excitement around autonomous aquafarms that Braid Maritime generated has quickly settled.
On a positive note, it has opened the door to the discovery of innovative BlueTech.