Yellowfin seabream is an important economic fish that is widely distributed in the East and South China seas. Many attempts to enhance stocks of yellowfin seabream have occurred in China, but a lack of genetic information for this species after stock release represents an obstacle to its management and conservation. To provide scientific guidance for sustainable germplasm resource development, we sequence the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) of 123 yellowfin seabream from 6 sample populations (Xiamen, Dongshan I, Dongshan II, Yangjiang, Fangchenggang, and Beibu Gulf). Populations of both wild and cultured yellowfin seabream have high genetic diversity, which we relate to their breeding habits and growth rate. A neighbor-joining tree of CR haplotypes reveals no specific phylogenetic structure corresponding to location of fish capture. Both neutral test and nucleotide mismatch distribution analyses suggest that yellowfin seabream have experienced population expansion events. Pleistocene glacial periods and recent stock releases have played important roles in the formation of present-day phylogeographical patterns. Our study provides baseline information which will assist future research on genetic structure, genetic diversity, and historical demography of yellowfin seabream after stock release in southeast China coastal waters. The use of exotic seeds should be avoided in stock breeding and release, and relevant follow-up surveys and genetic monitoring should be undertaken to clarify the genetic impact of exotic seed use on wild populations.