State Oceanic Administration

Functions

1. The State Oceanic Administration is responsible for regulating the coastal zone of the People's Republic of China. This include islands, internal sea, neighboring sea, contiguous zone, continental shelf, exclusive economic zones and other sea area under its jurisdiction.
2. It is also responsible for issuing permits for sea area use such as laying of submarine cables and pipelines.
3. The SOA is also for environmental protection of the marine area. This include regulating pollutants, discharges into the sea and monitoring of the health of the sea areas. The agency assesses marine oil and gas exploration and developments, ocean dumping and ocean engineering projects to ensure the environmental impact is minimized and regulations are followed.
4. The agency organises and regulates marine scientific surveys and research activities. This can involve approving research from foreign countries or foreign nationals.
5. The agency is the Law enforcement agency protecting the maritime and sea area. This involve coastal surveillance, investigation and prosecution of illegal activities.
6. The administration also organizes basic and comprehensive survey of the maritime area to promote scientific research and understanding of the environment for protection, economic activity or conservation.

   Administration

Internal departments

• Administrative Office
• Department of Policies, Laws and Regulations, and Planning
• Department of Sea Area Management
• Department of Marine Environmental Protection
• Department of Science and Technology
• Department of International Cooperation
• Department of Personnel
• Party Committee of the Headquarters of the SOA
• Office of Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervisor of the SOA

  Subordinate agencies

• Northern Seas Branch
• East China Sea Branch
• South China Sea Branch
• National Marine Data and Information Service
• National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center
• National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center
• National Center for Satellite Application in the Oceans
• Institute of Ocean Technology
• National Center of Oceanographic Standards & Metrology
• China Institute of Polar Research
• Hangzhou Research and Development Center for Water Treatment Technologies
• First Institute of Oceanography
• Second Institute of Oceanography
• Third Institute of Oceanography
• Tianjin Institute of Sea Water Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization
• Institute for Ocean Development Strategy
• Marine Advisory Service Center
• Office of Polar Expedition
• Office of China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association
• China Ocean Press
• Office of Retired Staff and Veteran Cadres
• Service Center of the Headquarters of the SOA
• Beijing Training and Education Center

  Former Agencies

• China Coast Guard

  List of directors