Shandong passes first legislation on protection of sea island ecosystem

East China's Shandong province passed its first piece of legislation protecting its sea island ecosystem on July 26, which is scheduled to come into effect on Oct 1.

Aimed at protecting the ecosystem of the province's Changdao Island, the regulations addresses such issues as area division, restoration and fostering of the ecosystem and prevention and handling of pollution.

The regulations provide that both ecological protection and construction activities on the island must be carried out in line with overall planning for the island's comprehensive pilot zone of oceanic eco-civilization. Any ongoing construction project which fails to comply with the planning will be shut down or moved in accordance with the law.

In addition, during the development of the pilot zone, a red line for protecting its ecosystem and a base line for protecting its history and culture will be drawn, while limits on infrastructure construction will be imposed and classifications for the protection of the island's coastline specified.

As for local residents' working and daily lives, the legislation stipulates that households engaged in aquaculture shall be reasonably compensated under the law for their losses caused by prohibition or limitation of aquaculture in certain areas. 

The regulations also provide for a compensation system for ecological protection in an innovative way based on the principle of “the one who benefits shall compensate.” 

The regulations strengthen the protection of Changdao Island's unique ecological resources and landscape by establishing a specific protection system and related legal liability. It also specifies detailed measures for the disposal of garbage and sewage.