Fishing Fleet Returns After Seasonal Ban in China, Boosting Hope for Abundant Catches

A drone photograph captured on April 28, 2025, depicts fishing boats returning to a fishing port in Yantai City, Shandong Province, eastern China, just before the commencement of a fishing ban. The image, taken by Sun Wentan of Xinhua, showcases the culmination of fishing activities before the seasonal restrictions.

On Monday at midday, numerous fishing vessels departed from Shidao port in Shandong Province, signaling the conclusion of a four-month fishing moratorium in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea, north of a 35-degree latitude in China. The resumption of fishing activities marked a significant event for the local fishing community.

Zhang Zhiming, a 59-year-old captain, expressed his optimism as he prepared his vessel. He hoped for a successful catch, allowing him to sell the fish at a favorable price and increase his earnings. He checked the weather conditions and bid farewell to his friends before setting out.

Local boat owner Wang Jie observed that the seasonal fishing ban had significantly improved both the size and quality of the catches in recent years. His vessel primarily targets Spanish mackerel and hairtail, with each voyage potentially yielding between 25,000 and 40,000 kilograms of fish.

China initiated its summer fishing moratorium in 1995 to restore fish stocks and promote sustainable development. Over the past three decades, this policy has proven effective in replenishing fish populations.

Professor Xue Ying from the Ocean University of China noted that catches of species like hairtail and anchovy have remained stable, while Spanish mackerel, pomfret, and squid have shown consistent growth. The average daily catch per vessel has also increased, indicating the positive impact of the fishing ban.