A report, released by the Provincial Marine and Fishery Department in Hainan Tuesday, said 85.4 percent of the sea area under the administration of Haian Province was suitable for all marine life.

Seawater is categorized into four types by the administrations: the first type is normal sea water which is suitable for all marine life; the second category meets the requirements of marine aquaculture; the third type can only be used as ports; and the fourth or worst is heavily polluted.

Of the 13 sea areas monitored, 71 sq km of sea area met second type quality while 9 km met the third type.

In the 16,434 hectares of sea area where people raise aquatic products, a small part suffered pollution from inorganic nitrogen and phosphate.

The report also said about 80 sorts of coral reef around the island were well protected.

There are 17 marine nature reserves around the island, of which three are state nature reserves and one is to protect coral reefs.

(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2003)