JINAN - Authorities in East China's Shandong Province will spend 150 million yuan ($24.4 million) this year to cultivate and release fish fry into the Bohai Sea.

Pollution and overfishing have resulted in a severe decline in fishery resources in the area that has nearly paralyzed offshore fishing.

Wang Shouxin, head of the provincial marine and fishery bureau, said the provincial government has spent 780 million yuan since 2005 to release fish fry and sustain fishery resources.

In addition to fish, the freed species also include prawns, jellyfish and clams.