Time to get tough

The oil leaks in Bohai Bay have nowlasted for two months. With the operator of the oil rigs, Concon Phillips (COPC), providing poor and long overdue information, public concerns over the pollution have soared. The related parties must strive to solve the problems as soon as possible.

The disaster has raised many questions that have still not yet been answered.

According to the Law on the Protection of the Marine Environment, which was revised in 1999, the maximum administrative fine for pollution caused by offshore oil exploration is 200,000 yuan ($30,300). The State Oceanic Administration (SOA) indicated in early July this was the only legal basis to enforce an administrative punishment on COPC.