Revitalizing Hainan's Coastline through Marine Ecological Restoration

As summer approaches, Long Ning's Mangrove Tidal Family Camp in Xincun Town, Lingshui Li Autonomous County, welcomes thousands of visitors daily. The camp's owner, Long Ning, recalls when excessive pond aquaculture had destroyed the mangroves, forcing him to worry about his livelihood. However, the implementation of a marine ecological restoration project has revitalized the coastal waters, transforming his life and that of many local fishermen. Similar initiatives across Hainan Province, including Sanya, Danzhou, and Lingao, are promoting the comprehensive management of marine space ecology and establishing a new pattern of marine space development that integrates land and sea.

Key Takeaways:

• The Hainan Provincial People's Government has issued a news release highlighting the success of marine ecological restoration projects in revitalizing the coastline.
• Long Ning's Mangrove Tidal Family Camp, once impacted by excessive pond aquaculture, has benefited from the restoration project, with Long Ning welcoming 300 to 400 visitors daily.
• The restoration project has included clearing aquaculture ponds, replanting mangroves, bottom-seeding, releasing shellfish, and improving seagrass beds, resulting in revitalized coastal wetlands and increased income for local fishermen.
• Similar projects in Sanya, Danzhou, and Lingao have promoted the overall protection, systematic restoration, and comprehensive management of marine space ecology.
• In Danzhou Bay, a marine ecological protection and restoration project has improved the ecology of approximately 19,500 acres of surrounding land, including the restoration of mangroves, benthic animals, and wintering waterfowl.
• By 2024, the number of mangrove plants in Danzhou Bay is expected to increase to 22 species, and the number of large benthic animal species will increase from 17 to 50.
• The implementation of the ecological restoration project in Danzhou Bay has enabled the mangroves, large benthic organisms, and bird resources to be restored, leading to the rise of local catering and tourism industries.
• Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal protection, and their restoration has improved the overall quality of the mangrove ecosystem in Hainan Province.
• In Sanya's Tielugang Mangrove Nature Reserve, a century-old red olive plum tree has been revived, and over 2,000 trees have been replanted using seedling propagation techniques.
• In Laoshi Village, Haitou Town, Danzhou, former aquaculture ponds have been cleared and restored to the Yantian River ecological wetland, with villagers introducing "Laoshi Salt" and other organic products.
• Hainan Province has invested a total of 2.6397 billion yuan in central and provincial funds to promote the implementation of 29 marine ecological protection and restoration projects.

Statistics:

• 300-400 visitors daily at Long Ning's Mangrove Tidal Family Camp
• 152.33 kilometers of coastal zones restored
• 1,225.94 hectares of mangroves newly created and restored
• 27.8 hectares of coral reefs newly restored
• 2.6397 billion yuan invested in central and provincial funds
• 29 marine ecological protection and restoration projects implemented
• 22 species of mangroves expected to be restored in Danzhou Bay by 2024
• 50 large benthic animal species expected to be restored in Danzhou Bay by 2024
• 57 species of water birds recorded in the first half of 2024 in Danzhou Bay

Sources:

• [1] Hainan Provincial People's Government news release: (no date)
• [2] https://www.hainan.gov.cn/hainan/5309/202508/c3b9f60c55d94b2c8ce7e580277ab876.shtml