Photos by Michael Yamashita yamashitaphoto / Aquaculture: Some of China's largest fish farms, along with oyster and shellfish beds, can be found in the shallow seas, mudflats, and bays near Xiamen. Marco Polo in the 13th century was the first to describe the practice of aquaculture to the west. He encountered the cultivation of fish in lakes, ponds, and other enclosures during his travels in China. The Chinese originated the practice, utilizing fish cultivation techniques as far back as 2,000 BC. Today China, with one-fifth of the world's population, accounts for two-thirds of the world's aquaculture production, making the country the global leader. #aquaculture #fishfarm #oysterfarm #shellfishfarm