Abstract: The total output of aquatic product in China has been ranked in the first position of the world for consecutive 30 years, meeting 30% of the nation demand for animal protein. Aquatic genetic resources are not only an important material basis for the effective supply of high-quality aquatic protein, but also an effective way to ensure national food security and ecological security. The aquatic genetic resources are directly related with species and genetic diversity, and their main forms are the living, specimen, tissue, cell and gene resources. At present, the serious decline of biodiversity, the lack of large-scale accurate identification of species, and the imperfect protection facilities of germplasm resources have become the bottlenecks restricting the efficient development of aquatic genetic resources. Here, the general overview of aquatic genetic resources in China is systematically summarized, the main existing problems are analyzed, and the general ideas and overall objectives of genetic resources are condensed. On the above basis, the developmental strategies and research topics are proposed for strengthening the protection of aquatic genetic resources, thus, to lay a solid foundation for realizing the goal of strengthening the country with rich aquatic germplasm resources.