Yellow Sea - WWF

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Lying between mainland China and the Korean peninsula, the Yellow Sea is one of the world's largest areas of continental shelf covered in shallow water, providing for rich fishing grounds and an important site for migratory birds. But decades of pollution is turning the sea to a colour other than yellow.

© WWF-Japan

A yellow sea...The rivers that flow into the Yellow Sea carry so much mineral-rich soil that the water actually turns yellow. With China to the west and North and South Korea to the east, the Yellow Sea is also unique in that it is a relatively semi-enclosed body of water and its average depths are only 60-80m. Taking advantage of these extremely shallow waters are dugongs, porpoises, marine turtles and rich fish life, including Pacific herring, Japanese mackerel and cod. It is also home to many endemic waterbirds and invertebrates.

...turns brown

But industrial pollution, agricultural runoff and domestic sewage continue to contaminate the Yellow Sea's coastal waters and habitats. Overfishing and habitat loss are other serious threats facing the region. About 40% of the sea's tidal flats have been reclaimed in the last 50-100 years WWF and its partners are working to keep the sea "yellow" by protecting its biodiversity and through the sustainable development of its natural resources. This is happening through a number of conservation projects, including the creation of marine protected areas.

What WWF is doing

• Conservation work in China