Sea ice deals heavy damage to eastern China's aquaculture sector

As a result of the sea ice off China's east coast, Shandong's aquaculture sector has suffered more than RMB1 billion (US$146 million) of losses.

The ice closed 16 fishing harbours, trapped approximately 4,000 fishing boats and resulted in the loss of 100,873 tonnes of fishery products, Shandong's provincial marine and fishery department said. It added that the icy condition is set to worsen.

The sea ice appeared early January along the coasts of the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea as cold fronts pushed temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius, according to the National Marine Forecasting Station.

The ice has also affected marine transport, fishing, aquatic breeding and offshore mining in Liaoning, Hebei and Tianjin municipality.

Meanwhile, the Shandong provincial marine and fishery department has sent work groups to assist fishermen in disaster relief.