Two environmental protection zones will be set up in China's Yellow River Estuary to protect threatened sea life.

A local official from Kenli Country in east China's Shandong Province says the total protected area will cover 2,000 hectares. It's intended both to improve conditions for oceanic animals and boost seashore tourism.

Experts conducted tests on the water and observed the ocean life before proposing this area. The local government has also set up preservation posts in the region to improve environmental surveillance.

The nearby Shengli Oilfield has many drilling operations off the coast of Shandong which pollute the ocean. The local government has prohibited the dumping of any sewage and pollutants into the ocean and demanded regular inspections.

(CRI July 29, 2005)