Bio-diversity

The project site Chudao located in Shidao, Rongcheng City, surrounded on three sides by the sea, traditional fishing village. The distribution area of sea-grass and seaweeds in Rongcheng, Shandong Province, reduced by 90% and 60% respectively, because of lacking of understanding the importance of the sea-grass bed and the increasing pressure of coastal human activities. The project will use new technology to replant and restore seagrass bed and demonstrate ecological marine aquaculture to improve local livelihood. Main problems: The sea-grass bed of Zostera marina, once widely distributed in Northern China, but now can be only found in the offshore areas in Chudao, Weihai, Shandong Province with small distribution. Due to the destruction in the history, the fragmentation sea-grass bed couldn t meet the requirements for supporting biodiversity and local fisheries production. Solutions/activities: 1. Coordinate with the local management department to get the sea area using permission 2. Take advantage of the method sexual reproduction with artificial auxiliary to obtain the seeds of Zostera marina for restoring the sea-grass bed 3. Organize technical trainings to fishermen and provide necessary support to restore seagrass bed 4. Provide trainings to fisherman on technology for sea cucumber culture in sea-grass bed 5. Compile technical manual of sea-grass bed restoration and promote project model Anticipated results/outcomes: 1. 3000m2 seagrass bed restoration site established 2. 50 people gained the technique of seagrass bed restoration 3. 50 people gained the technique of sea cucumber culture and community`s income increased $13360 per year. 4. Stakeholders informed with seagrass restoration model

China