Yes, collecting sea glass in China is legal but subject to stringent environmental and coastal management regulations.
Sea glass collection is permitted in designated coastal areas, yet operators must comply with the Marine Environment Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (revised 2021) and local maritime bureau directives. The 2026 draft amendments to the Coastal Zone Management Regulations further restrict commercial extraction, requiring permits for volumes exceeding 50 kg annually. Violations may trigger fines under the Environmental Protection Tax Law or criminal liability for unauthorized coastal resource exploitation.
Key Regulations for Collecting Sea Glass in China
- Permit Requirements: The State Oceanic Administration (now part of the Ministry of Natural Resources) mandates permits for commercial collection, with quotas enforced by provincial maritime authorities. Small-scale, non-commercial collection is typically exempt but must avoid protected zones.
- Protected Coastal Zones: Collection is banned in National Marine Nature Reserves and Special Marine Protected Areas, as designated by the China Marine Surveillance under the 2023 Ecological Protection Red Line framework.
- Environmental Impact Assessments: Projects exceeding 100 kg of annual extraction require an EIA report approved by the local ecological environment bureau, per the Environmental Impact Assessment Law (2022 amendments).
Local governments, such as those in Zhejiang and Shandong, impose additional seasonal restrictions during breeding periods for marine species. Non-compliance risks administrative penalties or confiscation under the Marine Environmental Supervision and Management Regulations.