Guangdong Province will lavish 800 million yuan (US$96.39 million) on installing 100 man-made fish reefs or "marine pastures" in a bid to protect declining marine fishing resources.
The 10-year plan which started in 2002 is being implemented in offshore areas near the Daya Bay of Guangdong with 48 man-made fish reefs being placed at the seabed, said sources from the provincial administration of marine affairs and fishery.
Guangdong has a coastline of 5,782 km and boasts rich marine resources. However, the environment of the province's marine resources has been worsening as a result of long-time over-development.
There is an urgent necessity to rescue and restore the marine resources in the offshore areas of Guangdong, said Li Zhujiang, head of the administration.
For instance, major marine cash fish at the offshore areas near the Pearl River estuary have dropped from over 200 kinds to about 50.
Li insisted planting of man-made fish reefs would not only protect marine resources, but also help fishermen divert to other businesses, which he didn't specify, so that the structure of marine fishery becomes rational.
(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2003)
