The summer fishing season has officially returned on the Chinese mainland after a three-and-a-half-month summer fishing moratorium. At first light on Saturday, thousands of fishing vessels slipped away from port in a spirited send-off, ushering in a season of new sea harvests and coastal celebration.
In Yangjiang Hailing Island, Guangdong Province, a fleet representative of the "Guangdong Marine Granary" steamed out to richer fishing grounds. Local crews, steeped in generations of maritime tradition, readied their nets for ribbonfish, mackerel, and other prized catches that fuel both local markets and regional seafood supply chains.
Further west at Qisha Port in Fangchenggang, Guangxi, the opening feast is as much a ritual as a meal. Residents and returning fisherfolk gather on wooden walkways to sample the "first fresh seafood" of the season—steamed shrimp, conch, and snapper—served with chili, ginger, and slices of fresh lime.
On Dongshan Island in Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, fishermen cast their first nets against a backdrop of low-slung fishing village homes and salt pans. This ritual, known here as the hunt for "seafood surprises", bonds local communities as they share tips on sustainable catches and preserving coastal ecosystems.
And down on Tanmen Port in Qionghai, Hainan Province, innovators are already charting new courses for "fishery+"—a blend of aquaculture, cold-chain logistics, and digital tracking that aims to boost yield and quality. Here, age-old wisdom in "living off the sea" meets modern tech, hinting at a future where tradition and innovation sail in tandem.
As the boats fan out along the coast, the haul of the season will not only sustain local tables but also resonate through kitchens, restaurants, and markets far beyond the shore.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
