BEIJING - China's marine economy generated 6.47 trillion yuan ($989.3 billion) in 2015, 7 percent more than in 2014, government data showed on Thursday.

The sum accounted for about 9.6 percent of the nation's GDP in the year, according to a report by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

About 36.2 percent of the total gross output was generated in places surrounding the Bohai Sea in north China, while the Yangtze River Delta contributed 28.5 percent. The contribution of the former was a contraction of 0.5 percent from the year before while the latter's remained unchanged.

The overall marine sector maintained steady growth in 2015, said SOA deputy head Fang Jianmeng, adding that coastal tourism developed rapidly though shipping remained sluggish.

The production of marine aquaculture and deep-sea fishery also increased steadily, Fang said.

According to the report, the marine industry employs an estimated 35.9 million people.

The marine economy has been an important engine for the national economy, with its total production value growing by an annual average of 8.1 percent from 2011 to 2015.