Since 1950, the Institute of Oceanology has successively developed kelp-related technologies including low-temperature cultivation of artificial kelp summer seedlings, fertilizer application to increase kelp yields, and expanding kelp cultivation into southern regions.

These innovations have enabled large-scale aquaculture of cold-temperate kelp in China’s northern temperate seas, southern warm temperate seas, and subtropical waters in China, thus increasing the commercial cultivation of kelp by 30%~50%.

Beginning in 1958, Qingdao initiated the first wave of kelp cultivation, thus changing the fishery production mode. China now has the largest kelp cultivation industry in the world.