Report reveals half fishing areas in China polluted
( 2002-06-12 09:07 ) (8 )

Chinese authorities said Tuesday that half the country's inshore and inland monitored fishing areas are polluted.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the State Environmental Protection Administration, in a joint report on the condition of China's fishing areas, warned that pollution in inshore areas and major rivers was worse in 2001 than 2000.

The report showed that the spawning grounds and feeding areas for fish and shellfish in inshore seas suffered relatively severe pollution as did aquaculture production areas.

Spawning grounds, feeding areas and migration passages for fish in major rivers and lakes also faced pollution, the report added.

However, the environment of fishing areas in upper reaches of major rivers and offshore sea areas remained suitable for aquatic creatures.

Last year China witnessed 1,242 major pollution accidents in fishing areas, a dramatic rise from the previous year, which led to direct economic losses of 350 million yuan (42 million US dollars). Losses worth three billion yuan (361 million US dollars) in the marine fishing sector were also blamed on pollution, according to the report.