Angling for solutions to a coastal crisis

The construction of artificial reefs along China's vast coastline is helping to restore the maritime ecosystem, replenish fish stocks and improve the lives of local 'sea farmers'. Peng Yining reports.

Sun Xianli used to make a good living from the sea, but since 2011 his income has fallen dramatically as a result of pollution and overexploitation of fish stocks. In 2012, Sun's crop of mussels at his "sea ranch" failed, and he lost his main source of revenue.

"Too many people were farming the sea, and the water was filthy because construction sites on the coast were discharging industrial sewage into the water day and night," said the 50-year-old from the coastal city of Rizhao in Shandong province.