On November 25, 2025, the Nanjing Maritime Court issued a civil ruling to judicially confirm a marine ecological damage compensation agreement reached between the liable party and the marine environment supervision authority, with support from the procuratorate. This marks the first such case in Jiangsu Province.

Case Background: Illegal Fishing During Closed Season

In July 2025, during the fishing moratorium, Mr. Wang illegally caught over 7,200 jin (approx. 3,600 kg) of swimming crabs in the coastal waters of Lianyungang, with a market value of RMB 126,852. This illegal fishing activity caused significant harm to the local fishery resources and the marine ecosystem.

Procuratorate's Role: Facilitating Pre-Litigation Settlement

After the case was uncovered, the procuratorate initiated public interest litigation proceedings and notified the competent authority—the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau of Ganyu District—to assert a claim for marine ecological damage. With the procuratorate's assistance, the Bureau and Mr. Wang entered into negotiations.

Based on relevant laws and technical standards, the total ecological damage was calculated at RMB 190,278. After the procuratorate explained the legal consequences to Mr. Wang, the Bureau and Mr. Wang signed a compensation agreement on September 22, 2025, which was then submitted to the Nanjing Maritime Court for judicial confirmation.

Judicial Confirmation: Ensuring Effective Ecological Restoration

On October 24, 2025, the Court held a public hearing, where representatives from the procuratorate attended to present opinions regarding the consequences of the damage, the negotiation process, and the protection of public interests. To ensure transparency, the Court published the agreement on the website of the People's Court Announcement (https://rmfygg.court.gov.cn/) for 30 days, during which no objections were received.

On November 25, 2025, the Court ruled that the agreement was legally valid, did not prejudice the interests of the state or the public, and would facilitate the timely restoration of the marine ecology. The Court also noted that this case serves as a deterrent against potential illegal fishing activities and contributes to raising public awareness of marine environmental protection.

All compensation funds will be used to restore the damaged marine area.

This case marks the first instance in Jiangsu Province where a maritime court has confirmed a marine ecological damage compensation agreement. By supporting the competent authority in reaching and judicially confirming the settlement, the procuratorate and the Court have established an efficient model for integrating judicial and administrative efforts to safeguard public interests, offering a practical example for future cases of this nature.