On 13-14 February 2017, the key research project Sino-EU Cooperative Research on Ecosystem-based Spatial Planning for Aquaculture (No. 2016YFE0112600) was launched in Rongcheng, Shandong Province. This project is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology Special Programme for EU-China Intergovernmental Cooperation on Science and Technology Innovation (STI). The project coordinator is Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute (YSFRI) and there are 18 partners in this project. A total of more than 30 experts and project members attend the kick-off meeting, including Prof. Tang Qisheng, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), Prof. Su Jilan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prof. Zhou Mingjiang from Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS), Prof. Liu Yingjie, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS), Prof. Kong Jie, Deputy Director of YSFRI and Mr. Zhang Zhixin, Deputy Director of Rongcheng Ocean and Fisheries. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Xu Jiakun, Deputy Director of the S&T Coordinating Division of YSFRI.

Vice President Liu Yingjie, on behalf of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, congratulates on the successful approval of the project, highlights the development situation of fishery and aquaculture in the Thirteenth Five Year Plan period and closes his speech with the hope that this project will play an important role in the way of transformation of fisheries development mode, adjustment of fisheries industry structure and service of China’s One Belt and One Road strategy. Also, Deputy Director Kong Jie extends welcome to the experts, introduces the international cooperation and work performance of YSFRI, reviewed the important role of international cooperation on research and study on carrying capacity and the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture in Sanggou Bay. Meanwhile, he also extends thanks to the local authorities and enterprises of Rongcheng City for their support and assistance to the project; he then requires the project team members to complete the project timely and successfully. Deputy Director Zhang Zhixin gives a general introduction about the situation of Rongchen aquaculture industry, shows his gratitude to YSFRI scientists for their significant contributions to the development of aquaculture industry of Rongcheng City via innovation in fishery science and technology, and extends his warmly welcome and strong support to the implementation of the project in Rongcheng City; he ends up with the expectation that the project will play a fundamental role in the sustainable development of aquaculture industry in Rongcheng city.

Prof. Liu Hui and Prof. Jiang Zengjie from YSFRI, Prof. Xuan Jiliang from the Second Institute of Oceanology, State Oceanic Administration, Associated Prof. Yu Liangju from Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Science, and Vice President Liang Jun from Zoneco Group Co., Ltd., introduced the project theme and work packages, as well as implementation plans of the project, respectively. Academician Tang Qisheng and other experts commented on the topics and plans, and made important comments and suggestions. The project team members further clarified the working ideas and refined the implementation plan according to the experts' opinions.

Sino-EU Cooperative Research on Ecosystem-based Spatial Planning for Aquaculture (APDSS) is corresponding to the EU Horizon 2020 programme AquaSpace (No. 633476), which was officially launched in 2015. There are 12 EU partners and six Chinese partners in the APDSS project team. The project coordinator of the EU side is the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). Through cooperation with the EU, the project team will learn the advanced concepts and methods of EU aquaculture planning and environmental management, combine the national relevant policies and regulations with scientific achievements in aquaculture ecology in China, take into account of the environmental friendly aquaculture, the quality and safety of aquaculture prducts, and the sustainable development of aquaculture industry, so as to establish a GIS-based aquaculture spatial planning decision support system (APDSS). The project is expected to provide technical support for aquaculture planning and management, and the development of ecosystem-based aquaculture.