N China fishing ban begins

SHENYANG - An annual fishing ban on North China's Yellow and Bohai seas began on Friday, following a bleak fishing season that brought the local fishing industry to a near standstill.

The three-month moratorium, which will last until September 1, will forbid all forms of fishing, with the exception of angling, in order to protect fish while they lay eggs, according to the ocean and fishery department of Liaoning province.

The ban will be observed in areas of the seas located north of the 35th parallel, the department said.

Local fishermen have complained about poor catches this year. Dwindling resources and rising diesel fuel costs have led many fishermen to moor their vessels, even before the ban went into effect.

"Four of my six vessels were anchored through the season, and the other two have not been taken out in more than a week," said Meng Qingdong, a fisherman from the city of Dangdan.

Maritime authorities in Liaoning said they will strengthen a crackdown on illegal fishing and ramp up efforts to restore fish stocks during the off-season.

Friday also marked the start of a fishing ban on the Yellow and East China seas. A fishing ban on the South China Sea began in May.