"It's very interesting to see the sea worship ceremony at the start of the fishing season in Yangjiang," said Sara, a Moroccan vlogger attending the rituals on Hailing Island in Guangdong.
The summer fishing moratorium in the South China Sea officially ended on August 16. On Hailing Island in Yangjiang, more than 3,400 local fishing vessels set sail, joined by boats from across Guangdong Province, resuming their voyages in pursuit of a new season of abundance.
For local boat owner Lin Xingde, the day had been long awaited. After the 108‑day fishing ban, he said his crew was "very thrilled and eager to return to sea!"
He and his fellow fishermen are looking forward to a good haul of squid, ribbonfish, triggerfish, sardines, and more, with hopes of bringing in at least 5,000 kilograms, and possibly more than 10,000. "May all our fishermen enjoy smooth sailing and safe voyages!" he said.
The opening ceremony also featured a traditional sea worship ritual, which caught the attention of international visitors. Sara said her home country, Morocco, also has a strong fishing tradition, but lacks such a ceremony.
She also praised the environmental consciousness behind the moratorium, saying it was "really good to think about the environment, protect it and give fish some time to reproduce."
Canadian vlogger Cassie also noted the importance of the fishing ban. "The sea needs time to rest," she said. She added that the system benefits everyone: "It can only bring us prosperity and more abundance in the sea."
Beyond the fishing spectacle, all the vloggers said they were struck by the local lifestyle. Cassie described the fishing communities in Guangdong Province as "really developed."
She also praised Yangjiang City itself, describing it as increasingly international. "I just saw on a WeChat channel that people call it Bali Island for China. It really has a similar vibe to Bali. The nature is so beautifully preserved here, and there are amazing hotels and beaches."
Billy, who has family in Ireland and has seen similar fishing scenes there, said he was amazed by the sheer scale of the event. He also said he was excited about what the boats would bring in: "I want to see some shrimp. I want to get some octopus. If there's any octopus, I'll be the first one in line."
Reflecting on his time in Yangjiang, Billy said the city left a strong impression. "Everyone is so warm and there's so much to do," he said.
He described Yangjiang as the perfect place for a city escape: "Overall, I will definitely come back."
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Video & Photo & Poster | Pan Jiajun
