At noon on August 16th, the fishing season began in the South China Sea! After three and a half months of the summer fishing moratorium, high-quality marine proteins made their triumphant return, and the long-dormant fishing boats ventured into the sea for a bountiful seafood harvest.
Panyu District, Guangzhou
At the foot of Lotus Hill, fishing boats are poised at the harbor, fully stocked with supplies for their voyage. They sail past the Hai'ou Island and into the Shiziyang Estuary. The fishermen plan to spend over a month fishing in the Lingdingyang sea area.
Dapeng Peninsula, Shenzhen
The Dapeng Peninsula boasts a 128-kilometer coastline and seafood abundance. To celebrate the beginning of the fishing season, local foodies have highlighted a series of seafood restaurants with scenic views and delicious dishes.
Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai
With horns blaring and sails unfurling, Zhuhai residents ventured out to the 100-kilometer-away Wanshan Fishing Ground for high-value seafood such as squids. Zhuhai was selected as a national pilot for coastal fishery port economic zones on April 17th this year, with Hongwan Central Fishery Port at its core.
Taishan City, Jiangmen
At noon on August 16th, over 1,600 seagoing vessels set sail from fishing ports in Taishan, such as Hengshan Port in Wencun Town, Shadi Port in Shangchuan Island, and Guanghai Fishing Port. Equipped with food, ice, gasoline, and navigation systems, they embarked on fishing expeditions from Shangchuan Island in Taishan to Dongping in Yangjiang.
Nanlang Subdistrict, Zhongshan
Hengmen Town, Zhongshan, one of the eight outlets of the Pearl River, boasts a unique blend of saltwater and freshwater with sprawling mangrove forests and green crabs. As the horn sounded at the fishing season opening ceremony, fishing boats and cruise ships set off hand in hand to harvest seafood and enjoy sightseeing.
What is the fishing ban?
To maintain marine ecological balance, China has imposed a fishing ban along its coastlines. Fishing activities are banned during the break which begins on May 1st each year and lasts until mid-August, with the end of the fishing ban referred to as the beginning of the fishing season.
The fishing ban in the South China Sea usually commences at noon on May 1st and concludes at noon on August 16th, spanning three and a half months.
Why implement the fishing moratorium?
The fishing ban is imposed on certain waters or sea areas for a certain period to protect fishery resources and maintain ecological balance in accordance with relevant national laws and regulations. It usually coincides with the breeding season during which fish are given sufficient time to reproduce, preventing the depletion of resources and ensuring the long-term, healthy, and stable development of fishery resources.
How many fishing seasons are there in the Pearl River Delta region?
Apart from the fishing season in the South China Sea, the fishing ban in the Pearl River basin commences on March 1st and lasts for four months, ending on June 30th.
Therefore, the Pearl River Delta region has two fishing seasons each year: one after the end of the fishing ban in the Pearl River basin on July 1st, and the other after the end of the fishing ban in the South China Sea on August 16th.
What's the difference between the fishing season in the Pearl River Basin and the South China Sea?
After the end of the fishing ban in the Pearl River basin, various freshwater fish such as carp, grass carp, and mud carp are brought ashore. Fishermen in Foshan, Zhaoqing, and Dongguan hold freshwater fish culture festivals to celebrate the resumption of fisheries and pray for a bountiful and safe harvest.
After the end of the summer fishing ban in the South China Sea on August 16th, the fishing season will begin. Many places in Guangdong, such as Yangjiang, Maoming, and Zhanjiang, will hold fishing festival activities, including sea worship, fishermen's feast, and so on.
Editor | Liao Ying, Hong Ting, Nancy Ye, Will, James
Photo | Nanfang Plus
