The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization recently announced its 2025 list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, with China's Deqing Freshwater Pearl Mussels Composite Fishery System in Deqing county, Huzhou, Zhejiang province earning a spot.

This marked China's first world-class recognition in the aquaculture sector and the second entry for Huzhou following the Mulberry Dyke Fishpond System.

The Deqing Freshwater Pearl Mussels Composite Fishery System is an intricate aquaculture model based on the natural symbiotic relationship between fish and freshwater pearl mussels, centered around locally developed pearl cultivation techniques.

The system supports a diverse range of aquatic life, including mussels, fish, plankton, and aquatic plants, and promotes the efficient recycling of resources and biodiversity.

The Deqing Freshwater Pearl Mussels Composite Fishery System in action in Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

Originating in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), the system was pioneered by Ye Jinyang in Deqing, solving the challenge of freshwater pearl cultivation. The technologies then spread to Europe and Japan, fostering the global development of pearl culture.

In the modern day, the system exemplifies a harmonious blend of traditional wisdom and modern conservation efforts.

With an annual output of nearly 100 metric tons, Deqing's pearl industry now generates over 7 billion yuan ($970 million) annually, supporting nearly 20,000 jobs and advancing local rural vitalization.

This recognition underscores China's agricultural wisdom on the global stage, offering a model for sustainable development in aquaculture.