Abstract: By using Landsat TM and high resolution ALOS images, and based on the comparison of the precision of sea area extracted from various water indices, a modified index MNDWI was adopted to study the shoal reclamation in Jinzhou Bay sea area in 1988, 1995, and 2006. In the period 1988-2006, the reclaimed area in Jinzhou Bay sea area reached 23.63 km², among which, 12.38 km², 5.48 km², 3.47 km², 1.37 km², and 0.93 km² were used for development zone, industry, port construction, seawater aquaculture, and beach bathing, respectively. The large acreage shoal reclamation reflected the urgent demand of land for coastal urban construction and economic development along the Jinzhou Bay, while at the meantime, brought about greater impacts on the local eco-environment, which needed to be further monitored and assessed.

Key words: shoal reclamation, water index, spectral characteristics, Jinzhou Bay