A marine pasture within Gouqi Island in Shengsi county, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/Zhoushan Daily]

Authorities of Gouqi Island in Shengsi county, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, have paved a new path for breeding mussels.

Specifically, authorities have established a digital platform, through which breeding farmers can be informed about the latest policies for applying for loans and subsidies, release acquisition information, as well as learn professional knowledge about mussel quality checks.

The platform also provides data about the island's 20,000-mu (1,333.33 hectares) marine pasture's water temperature, pH value, dissolved oxygen, suspended substance, and blue-green algae.

The island produced 146,000 metric tons of mussels in 2022, up eight percent year-on-year, and the income of each household exceeded 200,000 yuan ($28,908.75).

Authorities provided subsidies to encourage breeding farmers to replace bubble floating balls with environmentally friendly floating balls.

Authorities are also focusing efforts on promoting new breeding technologies to drive the transformation and upgrading of the mussel breeding industry.