Fishing vessels set sail from a port in Rongcheng of Weihai, Shandong province, as the seasonal fishing ban in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea comes to an end on Tuesday. [Photo by Li Xinjun/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The four-month summer fishing moratorium in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea ended on Tuesday, with thousands of fishing vessels setting sail from ports across Shandong province to begin a new fishing season.

The annual summer fishing ban, which ran from May 1 to Sept 1, is a key measure implemented by China to protect marine fishery resources and promote sustainable development. By restricting fishing activities in designated areas during the spawning and growth seasons, the system allows fish stocks to recover and maintains the health of marine ecosystems.