Fishing operation launched in Nansha

A fleet of 30 boats from Hainan province plans to conduct an oceangoing fishing operation near waters off Zhubi Reef in the South China Sea on Tuesday morning.

According to local fishery authorities, the fishing activity, one of the largest in Hainan's history, will involve a 3,000-ton supply vessel and 29 fishing boats.

The fleet, organized voluntarily by fishermen, decided to move the fishing operation from waters near Yongshu Reef of the Nansha Islands to Zhubi Reef, about 110 nautical miles (203 kilometers) away, the operation's deputy commander, Liang Yapai, said on Monday.