Marine scientists said that China will be more reliant on seafood supply after pollution from a sunken tanker adds to stress on damaged ecosystems.
Concerns remain over the environmental damage after the Sanchi exploded and sank on Sunday, Januray 14, releasing toxic fuel and polluting the waters.
The Panama-registered tanker collided with the CF crystal 160 of China on January 6. It was reported to have lost its power and caught fire, drifting to southeast of China before it exploded and sank.
On January 15, China's State Oceanic Administration said that the oil spill from the sunken tanker had grown to five times the size compared to its size few days ago.
According to Greenpeace East Asia, the affected area is known for commercial species.
"At this time of year the area is used as a wintering ground by common edible species such as hairtail, yellow croaker, chub mackerel and blue crab," Greenpeace said in a statement on Monday.
"The area is also on the migratory pathway of many marine mammals, such as humpback whales, right whales and grey whales."
"Impacts from the oil spill can range from the chemical contamination of fish and shellfish, which can lead to their deaths, killing of species like dolphins and turtles, which get covered in oil, and damage to fish spawning and nursery areas," Yvonne Sadovy, from the University of Hong Kong's school of biological sciences said.
She also added that the oil contamination added more stress on the already damaged marine ecosystem in East China.
