DALIAN: A bid by the local legislature to open up access to the city's sea resources has received strong public support in this port city in Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Widespread aquaculture operations, particularly fish-farming, have made it difficult for both fishermen and beach-goers to make use of the sea that surrounds Dalian.

"It's an encouraging step that shows the government is thinking more about our daily lives," said Mao Jinhua, 58, when she heard that more of the city's beaches would be opened to local people for daily activities under a draft regulation worked out by the legislature.

The draft regulation was made public last month, and the authorities are collecting suggestions for revisions. The Standing Committee of the Dalian People's Congress is expected to approve the regulation before June.

According to the draft version, the coastal areas surrounding the city are reserved for specific purposes, such as work connected with the ports, navigation, aquaculture, tourism and public activities.

But some local residents feel that their interests get overlooked.

"We live by the seaside, but in a way we are deprived of the right even to touch the seawater," Mao said.

She added that guards hired by aquaculture contractors to watch over the beachfront had shouted at her and her friends when they walked the beach collecting seaweed to eat.

"The city must draw up regulations for the scientific and reasonable use of the waterfront," said Li Qinggui, director of the Dalian People's Congress' agricultural committee.

Better management

The draft regulation was in response to the city's poor management of its coastal areas over past several years. The issue was in the spotlight when the State Council approved the city's drive to build an international navigation hub in Northeast Asia in 2005, Li said.

In particular, the unchecked spread of aquaculture has encroached on the anchorage and the route to the port, and disputes between shipowners and fish farmers are common.

Fishermen have been pushed out of fishing grounds, which has hurt their livelihoods.

Residents have complained that there are few places left for swimming and angling.

"We have to ensure that there is enough room for both the further development of the city's economy and the daily activities of the local people," Li said.

The government should set aside more places for swimming and fishing, Li said.

To that end, the local government has been reclaiming areas previously devoted to aquaculture and has so far paid 750 million yuan ($96.5 million) over the past two years to compensate the displaced contractors. That figure is expected to grow.

"The government should take full consideration of the fishermen's interests when the regulation finally comes into effect," said Wu Hougang, chairman of Zhangzidao Fishery Group, a leading company in the country's fishery industry.

Wu, who is also a member of the Dalian People's Congress' agricultural committee, said some government bodies had abused their power over the city's sea areas. He added that some contractors had been overusing the area's resources.

"The State Council has worked out many preferential policies for farmers, but not enough for fishermen," Wu said.

Helping fishermen

Wu said he hoped the government would waive fishermen's usage fees as it had waived land fees for farmers.

"They should be compensated when sea resources are designated for other purposes. When the areas are contracted out for aquaculture, the fishermen's welfare should be guaranteed," Wu said.

On Zhangzidao, an island off the city's coast, fishermen have set up a collective organization and own a 67 percent stake in the group's company, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The company's profits support the welfare of all the fishermen on the island.

"To ensure the proper use of the sea, the government should also put money into science and technology, especially to support deepwater aquaculture," Wu said.

Meanwhile, local entrepreneurs expect the new rules to protect their operations.

"Even after the new regulation goes into effect, we should keep watch on its enforcement," said Yan Yongfang, the owner of two angling boats.

Yan said that in the past he had to transport anglers kilometers offshore to find fishing grounds.

"Anglers will have more freedom, but there must be someone to protect their rights," Yan said.