GUANGZHOU - A large number of sites discharging sewage into the ocean are violating environmental standards, the State Oceanic Administration revealed.

More than half of the country's seaside sewage discharge sites tested in March, and more than one-third tested in May, fell short of standards, the administration said in a report last week.

Up to 106 out of the 202 spots checked in March, including industrial and urban sewage discharging spots, failed to meet the standard.