DU Yun, deputy director general of the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology, visited IHB on December 8, 2024. (Credit: IHB)

On December 8, 2024，DU Yun, deputy director general of the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology, visited the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The purpose of the visit was to review IHB’s progress in smart fisheries development and conduct an expert evaluation for the establishment of the Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Smart Fisheries.

IHB’s Director MIAO Wei, along with representatives from key partners such as the Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Wuhan Zhongyi Tiandi IoT Technology Co., Ltd., accompanied the delegation during the visit.

The delegation toured IHB's research facilities, learning about the institute’s latest advancements in the field of smart fisheries. DU Yun expressed high praise for IHB’s achievements in this area. IHB Prof. DUAN Ming gave a detailed presentation on the lab’s research priorities, organizational structure, and future goals.

An expert panel, comprising representatives from several leading universities and research institutes, conducted a thorough review. After site visits, material reviews, and discussions, the panel unanimously approved the establishment of the Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory for Smart Fisheries.

DU Yun emphasized, “Hubei Province places significant importance on applied research and laboratory infrastructure. The development of smart fisheries is key to the province’s future in fisheries innovation. The establishment of the smart fisheries laboratory will serve as an important platform for advancing Hubei’s modern fisheries sector.” He added, “I encourage IHB to strategically plan the laboratory’s development, leading the way in applied research in smart fisheries while ensuring that the results are transferred and applied nationwide.”