___________________________________________________________________________
2009/ MRCWG/020
Agenda item: 1
Economy Report – China
Purpose: Information
Submitted by: China
22nd Marine Resource Conservation
Working Group Meeting
Vancouver, Canada
1-3 June 2009
APEC Marine Resource Conservation Working Group, 22nd Meeting
Economy Report of People’s Republic of China
Vancouver, Canada, 1-3 June 2009
During the past year, China has put in place a suite of measures and programmes to conserve the
marine environment and protect species and habitats of conservation interest, and we have achieved
significant progress on a range of national and regional activities aimed at improving marine resource
conservation. Key action items are in line with the Bali Plan of Action (BPA) and the MRCWG
Strategic Framework.
(1) In the field of policy, legislation and planning
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
“Standard for the classification and categorization of special marine protected area” and
“Technical guidelines for functional zonation and the overall plan compiling of special
marine protected area” were issued by the State Oceanographic Administration (SOA) of
China on May 6th, 2008, made effect as of May 10th, 2008.
“Red tide disaster emergency responding programme” and “storm surge, tsunamis,
waves and sea ices emergency responding programme” were issued by the SOA of
China on May 12th, 2008.
“Closing Fishing Policy in Summer Season” was adjusted by Ministry of Agriculture. It’s
an important legislation to conserve marine biological resources, especially the larvae
and juveniles fish, to construct marine ecological civilization, and to promote sustainable
development of marine fisheries.
“National Ocean Case Development Programme Outline” was issued by the State
Council on February 7th, 2008, it is the first overall plan in marine areas of China, which
mentioned sustainable utilization of marine resources, protection of marine environment
and ecosystem, coordination of marine economy, cooperation of international maritime
affairs and marine science, technology and education, awareness enhancement of
marine conservation.
(2) Promoting the public awareness on ocean resource
i.
ii.
“World Ocean Week” was held in Xiamen from November 7th -13th, 2008, with the theme of
“Promoting Marine Ecological Civilization”, which served as a platform for regional cooperation
as well as for connecting marine and social science, technology, education, public awareness in
making policies, management decisions and actions to achieve sustainable use of coastal and
marine resources and for achieving sustainable development of the oceans.
“The First National Ocean Awareness Day” was launched in Qingdao, China, on July 18th, 2008,
which was welcomed by Mr. Javier Armando Valladares, IOC chairperson “thanks to the
government of China in raising public awareness on the vital role that the Ocean and its
resources play in the daily life of people and sustainable development”.
(3) Promoting conservation of marine resources
i.
ii.
iii.
Eight National Marine Special Reserves have been established to protect marine areas with
high ecological value such as Yellow River Estuaries, Haizhou Bay and Yushan Isles, etc. All
these areas are being actively managed for conservation, recreation, education and scientific
purposes.
Three National Nature Reserves have been designated to protect rare marine species like
Chinese white dolphins. We are also establishing a migratory species rescue centre,
monitoring Chinese white dolphin and sea turtle populations, designating identified
islands as ecosystem recovery areas and implementing recovery strategy, improving
fishing regulations.
SOA of China has kept monitoring eighteen Ecology-Monitoring Areas for 5 years. The
monitoring areas are up to 52 000 Km 2, which including the main typical marine
ecosystems, such as estuaries, bays, coastal wetlands, coral reefs, mangroves and
seagrass beds, etc.
iv.
More than 5 billion fish, penaeus and crabs were artificially reared and released to the
sea. Besides, more than 800 000 cubic meters of artificial fish reefs were built.
(4) Biodiversity Management on Coastal Areas of China’s South Sea Project (SCCBD)
The “GEF/UNDP/SOA Project on Biodiversity Management in the Coastal Area of China’s South
Sea” has put great efforts on formulating the trans-provincial conservation plan for marine
endangered species, encouraging public and private partnership (PPP) cooperation, and testing
new innovative approaches, such as:
i.
ii.
SCCBD Project Forum was held in Xiamen in May 2008 and October 2008. SCCBD
provincial staffs, marine biologists, marine protected areas (MPA) managers and other
stakeholders were enhanced through the two forums on knowledge sharing events and
cooperation. The cooperation between two provinces has been enhanced in
conservation actions, and the successful experience of Dongshan-Nan’ao demonstration
site on protecting coastal areas and biodiversity was highly advocated by the United
Nations among the world.
Public and private partnership (PPP) is established between UNDP, SOA, Guangxi Land
and Resources Burau and Stora Enso Company in biodiversity planning, engaging
neighboring communities and farmers in co-management of MPAs and testing of
innovative financial and economic incentives in mangrove restoration.
(5) National Committee of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (NCIOC)
China is an active participant in the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). The
National Committee of IOC was established to coordinate and enhance the domestic work
among different agencies, to encourage and promote the collection and sharing of marine-related
information and data.
i.
ii.
The First IOC/WESTPAC International Scientific Workshop on the Responses of Marine
Hazards to Climate Change in the Western Pacific took place in Qingdao, China, during
November 23rd-24th, 2008, with the generous host of SOA of China.
The 20th Session of the IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and
Information Exchange (IODE) was held in Beijing, China between May 4th and 8th, 2009.
The event was hosted by the SOA of China, 67 delegates from 35 Member States, 5
international organisations and 3 World Data Centres attended. The Committee
discussed the cooperation with other agencies and organisations. Mr Greg Reed, the
committee Co-Chair, stated that this 20th session of the IODE committee has been very
successful.
(6) improving the prediction of and preparation for hazards and climate extremes
i.
ii.
“The First National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Day” was issued by the State Council
on May 12th, 2009.
The National Marine Environmental Forecasting Centre have strengthened the capability of
tsunami forecasting, storm surge forecasting and waves forecasting, and have strengthened
the capability of sea ices and red tides monitoring through the use of a numerical model and
access to real-time sea-level data in the sea of China and the north Pacific.
People’s Republic of China
June 2009