The Xuanshan Marine Ecological Pasture, located off the coast of Liuheng Island, Zhoushan, is currently under construction. [Photo/zhoushan.cn] 

The Xuanshan Marine Ecological Pasture, the largest of its kind in Zhejiang, has moved one step closer to completion, as piling work for its fence finished on May 15. 

Occupying an area of 99.8 heactares, the pasture is the largest intelligent fenced breeding base in the province,with a total investment of 135 million yuan ($19.5 million).

Li Shaosong, general manager of Xuanshan Marine Ecological Pasture Co Ltd, said the company plans to release more than 2 million yellow croaker fries by October this year and have them on the market by around the Spring Festival next year. 

Upon completion, the base is expected to house 10-15 million fish and generate one billion yuan in annual output. 

The company also plans to use the pasture to boost the development of the tourism industry on Liuheng Island by offering fish-related tourism activities, Li said.