Guangzhou’s Nansha District Hosts 2026 International Ornamental Fish Conference

The 2026 Guangzhou (Nansha) International Ornamental Fish Conference took place in Nansha on November 9–10 alongside an investment promotion event for the district’s ornamental fish industry. The conference featured in-depth discussions on two themes, “Breeding Innovation and Smart Technologies” and “New Sales Channels and New Markets.” Parallel events included a meeting on import and export trade, a matchmaking session for the Guangzhou Nansha International Ornamental Fish Eco-Valley, and pitches by young innovators. The organizers also arranged a site visit to the Eco-Valley for guests from China and abroad. The events featured lively exchanges on collaboration among businesses, universities and research institutions, as well as on trade and investment.

At the thematic forums, experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jimei University, Guangdong Polytechnic of Science and Trade, and the Thai Ornamental Fish Association presented their work on germplasm innovation in prized goldfish varieties, full-cycle captive breeding of marine ornamental shrimp, AI-assisted selective breeding and evaluation, and the establishment of a college dedicated to the ornamental fish industry. The forums also brought together representatives of companies in China and abroad and officials from overseas government agencies. They discussed trends in the global koi trade, consumer trends in the global aquarium market, and opportunities for ornamental fish exports from countries such as Brazil and Thailand. Participants explored opportunities and challenges in cross-border trade in light of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the advantages offered by ports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Chucha Rakdangyoo, a board member of the Thai Ornamental Fish Association, said global demand for ornamental fish continues to grow, but challenges remain, including limited coordination across the breeding sector and difficulties with cross-border customs clearance and alignment with international standards. Rakdangyoo said Nansha benefits from policies associated with its pilot free trade zone and the Guangzhou (Nansha) Agricultural Opening-up and Cooperation Pilot Zone. The district is building the 733-mu Eco-Valley and is well placed to draw on the Greater Bay Area’s ports to become a hub for global ornamental fish breeding, trade and technical exchanges. The conference drew industry representatives from more than 20 countries and regions, offering networking opportunities for overseas companies looking to enter the Chinese market and for Chinese companies seeking to expand their sales channels abroad.

On the afternoon of November 10, overseas guests, company representatives, experts and scholars visited the Eco-Valley in Hengli Town. Larissa Soares, a representative of Brazil’s Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, said she was impressed by Nansha’s policy advantages and industrial base. She said the Eco-Valley is being developed as a trade hub in line with standards in Europe, the United States, Hong Kong and Macao. The project is designed to bring together breeding, propagation, testing, cross-border logistics and industry services for companies from around the world.

Nansha District will build on the outcomes of the conference and further increase the impact of its billion-yuan ornamental fish industry cluster. The district will focus on breeding innovation, trade and distribution, and the integration of the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. Using the Eco-Valley as a base, Nansha will accelerate the development of an international hub for the ornamental fish industry in the Greater Bay Area, with links around the world.