China released its first comprehensive report Monday on the country's marine economy, predicting the sector will become mature by 2030.

China's marine economy grew by 7.9 percent year-on-year in 2012 to 5,008 billion yuan ($815.9 billion), and accounted for 9.6 percent of the country's GDP, said the report.

According to the report, China's marine fishery industry saw annual growth of 6 percent last year, despite the ongoing decline in inshore fishing.

The mariculture output, meanwhile, was the highest in the world for the 20th consecutive year, and China's sea salt output is still the largest in the world.

Liu Yan, associate editor of the report, said the Hainan economic zone had been added to the five traditional marine economic zones as the central government intends to strengthen its efforts in developing the South China Sea.

Liu also said limited marine resources and environmental problems will remain the key impediments to development of the marine economy.