China fines marine polluters

BEIJING - Chinese marine authorities have already fined polluters more than 25 million yuan ($4.07 million) for damaging the marine environment in 2013.

Various levels of marine surveillance agencies had dealt with 440 environmental cases by the end of October and settled 385 of them, according to the State Oceanic Administration on Friday.

The administration started campaigns such as "Green Sea" in 2009 to target threats to marine nature reserves, special protection areas and monitored regions, and "Sea Shield" in 2003 to deal with major discharge outlets and illegal land reclamation.

Marine surveillance agencies deal directly with officials or company bosses in cases of illegal harm to the marine environment.