The concept of exclusive economic zone has already been accepted generally as a rule of international law in the world.As a result,the management of world marine fisheries has undergone a radical reform,which is featured by the use of traditional property rights to regulate the fishing activity.This paper pinpoints the causes of over fishing.The definition of traditional property rights,its characteristics,its measurement method,and its econoomic incentives are also described.Aa an example of use of property rights to regulate marine fishing,the individual transferable quota (ITQ) system is carefully analyzed.Its characteristics of property rights,bio economic outcomes,some possible problems,and solutions are all explored completely.Finally,some steps should be taken to introduce the property rights into China marine fisheries management.