The kick-off meeting and symposium of National Program on Key Basic Research Project of China (973 Program) “Effects of environmental changes in inshore waters on community structure and population dynamics of exploited marine species” was held on April 22, 2015, in Qingdao. More than 50 participants attended the meeting, including the 973 Program liability expert Prof. Qisheng Tang and Prof. Qinyu Liu, invited consultant Prof. Jilan Su, vice president of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS) Qing Liu, and the program partners including panel members of this project, the principal investigators (PI) of the task forces, scientific researchers and postgraduates.

Prof. Jie Kong, vice director of Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute (YSFRI), chaired the meeting and delivered the welcome speech. Vice president Qing Liu and Prof. Qinyu Liu made speeches on behalf of CAFS and the 973 Program liability experts, respectively. The program PI, Prof. Xianshi Jin also made a speech briefing the theme and tasks, followed by Prof. Zhengyu Wang, Prof. Shuozeng Dou and associate Prof. Xiujuan Shan, introducing implementation plans of the program and the task forces. The liability expert, invited consultant and the experts of this project gave some constructive and valuable suggestions and comments on this project. Furthermore, in order to provide solid foundation for the implementation of this program, academic opinions and specific future plans of the three task forces were discussed, including the comprehensive research cruises, experimental designs and management issues.

The program focuses on two key scientific problems, including (1) the formation, transition process and mechanism of fishery species habitat during early developmental stage, and (2) Driving-foundation of fishery species recruitment and their adaptive mechanism to environmental changes. The research results will contribute to the habitat restoration of fishery species during early life stage, conservation of fishery resources, and promoting the sustainable and healthy development of coastal fisheries in China.

The“National Program on Key Basic Research Project (973 Program)”was implemented in 1993. The strategic objective of the Program is to mobilize China’s scientific talents in conducting innovative research on major scientific issues in agriculture, energy, information, resources and environment, population and health, materials, and related areas. This Program represents the highest level in basic research and its application in China.