China’s fishing season reopens with bountiful early yields

As China’s new fishing season begins, fleets have set sail in key coastal waters, including the Bohai and Yellow Seas, aiming to deliver fresh seafood to tables nationwide.

China’s summer fishing ban officially ended on September 1 in the Bohai and Yellow Seas waters, marking the start of a new season aimed at balancing seafood supply with sustainable marine fisheries.

Ports across east China's Fujian Province are bustling, with each vessel bringing in around 5,000 kilograms of catch per trip. Mackerel, squid, and flower crabs dominate the haul, reflecting strong early-season yields.

In Zhanjiang, a city in south China's Guangdong, seafood markets come alive before sunrise. Blue crabs and palm-sized prawns are among the most sought-after items, drawing crowds eager for the season's first catch.

Advanced equipment is driving fishing efficiency in Longkou, a city in east China's Shandong Province, where fishing boats equipped with sonar and satellite navigation help pinpoint fishing zones. By evening, docks are packed with traders sorting crabs and mantis shrimps for immediate sale or cold-chain distribution.

"I come here every year as soon as the fishing season starts. The port is bustle with buyers, and the prices are reasonable," said a consumer surnamed Wang.

Zhoushan in east China's Zhejiang Province, known as the "fish warehouse in East China Sea", has seen a peak in blue crab landings in recent days. At the Zhoushan International Aquatic Market, nearly 100 vessels dock daily, with peak volumes reaching 3,250 tons.

Local authorities have optimized berth scheduling to ensure rapid market access for live seafood.

"The seafoods are shipped to as far as Changchun in northeast China. Our crabs are packed live, and we've done a lot to ensure its freshness," said Chen Nafang, head of a local e-commerce firm.

China has also expanded aquaculture in inland areas, with northwestern regions such as Xinjiang and Ningxia overcoming technical barriers to replicate marine environments.

In Yanchi, a county in Ningxia, technicians have successfully farmed Pacific white shrimp in a saline-alkali environment that mimics seawater conditions, a breakthrough in inland seafood production.

From offshore harvests to smart inland farming, China's marine industry is undergoing an upgrade. Between January and July, aquatic product output reached nearly 36 million tonnes, up 4.37 percent year on year.

China’s fishing season reopens with bountiful early yields

China's traditional dragon boats are driving the economic growth of Jiujiang Town of Foshan City in the southern province of Guangdong.

Known as "the town of dragon boats" and "the place with the fastest dragon boat rowing," Jiujiang is attracting a growing number of clients and tourists with its exquisite craftsmanship of boat making and thrilling racing events.

In many dragon boat factories in the town, workers are racing against time to keep up with the rising orders from home and abroad ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival which falls on June 19 this year.

"Our annual production capacity now is up to 1,000 dragon boats. Right now, we are working overtime every day to make the boats. We have orders not only from neighboring cities but also from Southeast Asia and Europe. At the same time, we have another 500 or 600 carbon fiber paddles to deliver simultaneously. Our races and training services have been scheduled into July," said Wu Pengjian, president of a local sports equipment company.

The boats manufactured in Wu's company are specifically designed for professional 22-person races, measuring 18.4 meters long and weighing 280 kilograms.

Beyond boat making, the company also provides one-stop services ranging from equipment rentals to event operations for dragon boat races.

Wu said the dragon boat events arranged throughout the year have already boosted the local culture-tourism industry.

The massive influx of visitors brought by dragon boat races has significantly promoted local catering and accommodation businesses.

"Whenever there's a dragon boat race, many people would come to have coffee and enjoy the scenic views. Then our coffee sales will easily double those in normal times," said Lai Zicong, a local cafe owner.

Nestled next to an ecological reserve home to egrets in Jiujiang, Wu Kaining runs a distinctive homestay. She said whenever a dragon boat race is held, she will receive a flood of booking calls two weeks in advance.

"Our rooms are very popular among tourists from Hong Kong and Macao. Plus I myself am a returnee to start business in Jiujiang from Macao, I know quite well that such unique waterside environment and ecological vitality here are exactly what they prefer. Many clients have already reached out to us in advance to book rooms for the Dragon Boat Festival and the summer vacation," Wu said.

Dragon boats boost Foshan town's economy