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Fishing moratorium ends, Maoming fishermen restart fishing in South China Sea

People view the fishing-boats setting sail at Bohe Port, Maoming on August 16, 2017. [Photo by Sam Huang]

Accompanied by resonant clarino and firecrackers, over 1000 fishing-boats berthing at Bohe Port set sail towards the vast sea at the same time this noon (August 16). Starting from then, the 19th seasonal fishing moratorium officially ends in South China Sea, welcoming a new fishing season.

This year’s seasonal fishing moratorium began from May 1 to Aug. 16 in the South China Sea. The 3.5-month-long fishing moratorium is the longest-ever since the fishing bans in the South China Sea began in 1999. No fishing is allowed in parts of the sea under China’s jurisdiction except by single-layer gill nets or other approved methods, including conventional angling. Although they have reduced the income of some fishermen, bans protect fisheries and ensure the industry’s sustainability.

A ritual is held at the start-fishing ceremony of the South China Sea (Bohe, Maoming) Fishing Festival at Bohe Port, Maoming on August 16, 2017. [Photo by Sam Huang]

In celebration of the new fishing season, 2017 South China Sea (Bohe, Maoming) Fishing Festival along with the 5th Lingnan Folk Culture Festival is being held at Maoming Binhai New Area from August 16 to 20, featuring fishery culture and folk culture in the thousand-year-old fishing port Bohe.


Activities of the Festival

A folklore performance is staged at the 2017 South China Sea (Bohe, Maoming) Fishing Festival and the 5th Lingnan Folk Culture Festival at Bohe Port, Maoming on August 16, 2017. [Photo by Sam Huang]

Lingnan traditional folk custom stage;

Time: August 16-20, 2017

Venue: The Coast of Romance & The Cultural Tourism Scenic Spot of Lady Xian’s Former Residence, Binhai New Area, Maoming

Contents: Kylin dance, lion dance, Nuo dance, Yingge dance, Farm Cattle dance, Huapeng dance, etc.

Performers sing and dance at the 2017 South China Sea (Bohe, Maoming) Fishing Festival and the 5th Lingnan Folk Culture Festival at Bohe Port, Maoming on August 16, 2017. [Photo by Sam Huang]

Sandbeach folk song party;

Time: August 16-20, 2017

Venue: The Coast of Romance, Binhai New Area, Maoming

Contents: Fisherman’s songs from Shanwei, Zhongshan, Qingyuan and Maoming Salty Water songs, and other folk songs.

For more photos of the fishing festival, click here.


About Maoming

Located in the southwestern coast of Guangdong Province, Maoming is now an important center of industry, business, tourism and agriculture in west Guangdong with superb location, agreeable climate, abundant resources and beautiful scenery.

A fisherman carries sea products to the seaside in Maoming on August 16, 2017. [Photo by Sam Huang]

As early as over 1500 years ago, Lady Xian, the most acclaimed and legendary female hero in Gaoliang (currently Maoming), had already established trade contacts with nations in the Southeast Asia through Maritime Silk Road. This was about 700 years earlier than Venetian merchant traveler Marco Polo’s visits to China through the Silk Road in the Yuan dynasty and over 800 years earlier than famed Chinese explorer Zheng He’s expeditionary voyages to Southeast Asia in the Ming dynasty.

Link: Lady Xian: the First Heroine of China

In 1919, Sun Yat-sen once planned nine commercial ports on the coast of Chinese mainland in his book “The International Development of China”, one of which is Bohe Port.

Maoming has 182-kilometer coastline in the South China Sea and multiple deepwater ports that enjoy exceptional advantage, such as Bohe Port, Shuidong Port, and Bohe New Port. In 2016, Maoming Binhai New Area MSR site was listed as one of the Top 10 Maritime Silk Road landmarks in Guangdong.

Link: Top 10 Maritime Silk Road landmarks in Guangdong

Local people buy seafood from fishermen at the seaside in Maoming on August 16, 2017. [Photo by Sam Huang]

Taking the opportunity of the fishing festival, Maoming is further promoting to the world its historical and cultural brands “Maoming Binhai New Area MSR site” and “Lady Xian’s culture”, as well as its coastal and cultural tourism brand. And its deepwater port Bohe New Port will join in the China-Malaysia port alliance, accelerating Maoming’s participate in the construction of the Belt and Road.

It is worth mentioning that Maoming is running for cities of “Charming China” organized by CCTV, showcasing its charm to the whole country and inviting all to visit the beautiful costal city Maoming.

Link: 2016 Bohe Fishing Festival offers delicacies, beautiful sceneries, fun and romance


Travel in Maoming

Maoming not only boasts abundant marine products, coastal tourism resources, but also unique local customs and cuisine. If you come to Maoming, you can enjoy more than sea food and ocean scenery.

Recommended scenic spots

1. Bohe Port (茂名博贺港口)

Bohe Port is one of the three major fishing ports in Guangdong and abounds in lobster, prawn, trepang, weever, green crab and so on. In history, it was an important haven of ancient Maritime Silk Road.

Location: Bohe Town, Dianbai District, Maoming

Accommodation recommendation: there are many hotels and restaurants near the port.


2. The Cultural Tourism Scenic Spot of Lady Xian’s Former Residence (冼太夫人故里文化旅游景区)

In the Scenic Spot, there is Lady Xian’s former residence relic, grave of the Duchess of the Qiao State, Goddess Temple (Lady Xian’s Temple), and other historic relics and heritages. Xian’s residence, Xian’s grave, and Xian’s temple are the only relic and cultural resource of “Three Xian” in the country.

Opening Hours: 07:00 - 20:00

Tel.: 0668-5351639

Admission: Free (for now)

Location: Shandou Village, Diancheng Town, Binhai New District, Dianbai District, Maoming

Accommodation recommendation: hotels and restaurants in downtown Diancheng


3. The No. 1 Shoal of China Vacation Area (中国第一滩旅游度假区)

Hailed as “the Oriental Hawaii”, the No. 1 Shoal of China Vacation Area is one of the top destinations for all visitors in Maoming. The Vacation Area consists of sea bathing area, sea sports area, sea vacation area, and central square. It provides programs like sea bathing, sun bathing, sea sports, beach volleyball, barbecue, karaoke, entertainment infrastructures, and holiday convalescence.

Admission: Free

Best time to visit: May to October

Parking: 10 yuan per hour, or 30 yuan per day

Location: Haibin Second Road, Dianbai District, Maoming (about 25 km from downtown Maoming)


4.The Coast of Romance in Maoming (茂名浪漫海岸)

Praised as “China’s Bali Island” and “Maoming’s Sanya”, the Coast of Romance Tourist Resort in Maoming has all the things that you can expect from an ideal coast resort. It has a 5.3-kilometer coastal line along which you can enjoy a blue sea, a white beach, giant coconut trees, and magnificent sun-set glow.

Opening Hours: 08:00-21:00

Tel.: 400-998-1314

Admission: For adults (RMB 50 per ticket), for 1.2-1.5m children and seniors aged above 65 (RMB 30 per ticket)

Location: Jiangang Directorial Area, Bohe Town, Dianbai District, Maoming

Accommodation recommendation: villa hotel, resort hotel, seafood city, restaurant, food street, etc.


5. Fangji Island Amusement World (茂名放鸡岛)

Fangji Island got its name from a beautiful legend. The island is covered in lush green forests and surrounded by crystal clear sea water with typical island attractiveness. You can go fishing by the seaside, or dive into the sea, or sail far out on the sea. You will find different joy in each kind of entertainment.

Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:00

Tel.: 400-002-9888

Admission: For adults (RMB 180 per ticket), for children (under 1.4 m, RMB 90 per ticket), for seniors (aged above 65, RMB 144 per ticket)

Location: Cuihu Road, Bohe Town, Dianbai District, Maoming

Accommodation recommendation: villa hotel, resort hotel, tent, etc.


6. Yushui Ancient Hot Spring Tourist Resort (御水古温泉度假村)

Yushui Ancient Hot Spring Tourist Resort features accommodation, catering, entertainment, conference, training and shopping that is ideal for travelling, vacation tourism and relaxation. It is currently the largest and best-equipped hot spring and ancient culture theme hotel with the soundest management and most personalized service.

Location: Reshui Village, Magang Town, Dianbai County, Maoming City, Guangdong Province

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 0:00

Admission: RMB 118 per ticket (for adults)

Services: Hot springs, restaurants, hotels, entertainment, conference, gyms


Recommended delicacies

1. Seafood feast (海鲜大餐)

In Bohe Port, Fangji Island or the No. 1 Shoal of China Vacation Area, you can enjoy fresh and various kinds of delicious seafood, such shrimp, crab, sea cucumber, abalone, scallop, cuttlefish, grouper, yellow croaker and more.


2. Steamed rice pudding (bo ji chui, 簸箕炊)

Bo ji chui, a kind of steamed rice pudding, is one of the most representative local snacks in Maoming. It is made from rice milk which is ground by stone mill and then steamed in a container. Before eating, sesame, soy sauce or chilli sauce will be added to the rice pudding.


3. Shuidong duck congee (水东鸭粥)

The essence of Shuidong duck congee is the selective duck and medicinal materials. While cooking duck soup with medicinal materials, duck fat has to be eliminated and duck meat will be saved as side dish. Light duck soup and pearl rice are used to cook congee. Ginger-rice vinegar or soy sauce will be added to the duck.


Here are more photos of the fishing festival:

[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]


[Photo by Sam Huang]

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