China's fishing boats return to sea as summer moratorium ends

Fishing ports along China's eastern and southern coasts came alive on Sunday as tens of thousands of fishing vessels set sail for a new fishing season following the end of the South China Sea's three-and-a-half-month summer fishing moratorium.

Specially licensed boats have also resumed operations in parts of the East China Sea.

In Yangjiang City, south China's Guangdong Province, more than 3,400 fishing vessels departed after the official lifting of the fishing ban, heading toward fishing grounds in the South China Sea.

As one of Guangdong's major marine fishing hubs and a key supply base for aquatic products, Yangjiang has for years ranked among the province's leading spots for marine-captured production.

Ahead of the reopening, local maritime, fisheries and transport authorities cleared navigation channels, inspected navigation markers and introduced temporary traffic controls in key waters to give priority to fishing vessels.

During the first week of the fishing season, more than 2,000 Yangjiang fishing boats are expected to return to port with an estimated 30,000 tonnes of seafood.

Local authorities said cold-chain logistics will transport the seafood nationwide, while expanded deep-sea aquaculture and seafood processing industries will help extend the marine industry chain and increase fishermen's incomes.

More than 1,100 fishing boats left the Qisha fishing port in Fangchenggang City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sunday, heading to the Beibu Gulf.

Maritime authorities launched a special escort operation, deploying patrol vessels and implementing temporary traffic controls to ensure safe and orderly departures.

South China's Hainan Province saw more than 29,000 fishing vessels gradually depart from various ports.

In Sansha City, additional fishing support vessels will assist boats operating in deep-sea fishing areas of the South China Sea.

This year's fishing season has also featured cultural activities celebrating China's centuries-old fishing traditions, including intangible cultural heritage performances in Hainan and Guangxi, which not only preserve maritime culture, but also promote integration between fisheries and tourism.

China's summer fishing moratorium is a key conservation measure implemented in order to restore stocks, protect ecosystems and increase fishermen's incomes.

The annual ban began on May 1, covering the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the waters north of 12 degrees north latitude in the South China Sea, including the Beibu Gulf.