China will build 100 artificial reefs off the coast of south China's Guangdong Province over the next 10 years to improve the water quality of sea there.
The reefs will be scattered in 12 fish- and shrimp-production zones, which cover a total area of 2.4 million hectares.
This will be the first time for China to build artificial reefs. The decision was made upon a proposal raised by deputies to the Ninth Guangdong Provincial People's Congress last February.
By building artificial reefs, the living conditions of marine life in key sea areas will be improved, and some endangered species will be protected, said a Chinese marine expert.
(People's Daily 09/10/2001)
