ANY offshore construction without approval from authorities will face fines of between 20,000 yuan (US$3,020) and 100,000 yuan, according to new regulations on sea use management announced by the city s legal affairs office.
The policy regulated the planning, use and management of sea areas and procedures to apply for approval of any maritime projects, such as building construction and reclamation projects. Any pollution of the sea would also attract a fine of between 20,000 and 100,000 yuan, yesterday s Southern Metropolis Daily reported.
The regulations aimed to protect the use and the environment of the sea, the office said.
All people and organizations should register after being granted the right to use the sea area and the ownership of off-shore buildings and their rights would be protected by law.
Construction should be started only after it was approved by relevant departments.
Sewage from coastal hotels, holiday resorts, restaurants and hospitals should be processed by standard sewage treatment before being discharged into the sea. Otherwise fines ranging between 20,000 and 100,000 yuan could be imposed.
Any person or organization in fishing and tourism should collect and dispose of all garbage on land and any activity that could damage the marine environment would not be allowed.
The regulations are being posted on the Internet to solicit public opinion, and comments and suggestions should be submitted to the office by Jan. 31.
(Wang Yuanyuan)
