PR China's marine fisheries have grown rapidly for decades. Total fisheries production reached 1148000 tons in 1989, ranking China third in the leading fishing nations of the world. During the 1980s, aquaculture with a production of some 571000 tons in 1989) was the fastest growing element of total production. The marine catch amounted to 5080000 tons, about 44% of the total. However, China's marine fisheries have also suffered from offshore overfishing and depletion of fishery resources, particularly stocks of yellow croakers and hairtails. A critical review is presented of offshore fishery management in China, describing and analysing the history, problems, lessons and constraints. Suggestions are made to update offshore fisheries regulations.
