On August 16 at noon, a grand ceremony was held on Hailing Island to announce the lifting of the fishing ban for the 23rd South China Sea (Yangjiang) Fishing Season, marking the end of this year's three-and-a-half-month summer fishing ban.
 
As the order was announced, over 3,400 fishing boats surged forward, their bows slicing through the water and leaving long streaks of white foam as they headed out to sea.

 

 

 
"I've been on a boat before, but this time is pretty special, because I've never experienced an event where 3,400 boats go to sea at the same time," Piotr Lukasz Blaszak, a Polish vlogger, exclaimed.

Starting on May 1, the annual summer fishing ban aims to protect fish and other marine resources in China's surrounding waters during the summer season.

 

 

Bernada Maciel Aline Agnes, a Brazilian vlogger, initially felt curious about the event. "I was curious at first because I wanted to know why they were doing everything," she said.
 
However, after learning about the reasons behind it, her feelings changed. "But then when I learned why they do this and why it’s happening, I started to feel a sense of respect for them because you have to wait for the fish to grow, and you have to respect the natural cycles," she shared.
 
Kaya, a Turkish vlogger, was also amazed by the uniqueness of the event. "I don't believe something like this would happen in other countries. People around the world will be very excited to learn about it."

 

Ciesielska Alicja Ilona, another Polish vlogger, expressed her excitement about being part of the occasion. Looking forward to the abundance of seafood as the fishing season kicks off, she said, "I'm really happy that there will be more seafood soon because I really like to eat it. I'd love to cook and prepare it."
 
Piotr also highlighted the tourism potential of Yangjiang. "Yangjiang is beautiful. It has a well-developed coastline, many islands, and various sandy beaches. It's just great for tourism—not only for the beaches and sea but also for the mountains."
 
He emphasized that Yangjiang is a perfect destination for everyone. For those who enjoy hiking, the mountains offer great trails, and for sea lovers, the beaches and ocean are irresistible.
 
Reporter | Chen Jinxia

Video & Photo | Xu Xiaoxin

Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He