Fishing season beckons in S China Sea

A powerboat leads a large fishing boat departing from a port in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province, Aug 1, 2011. Fishing vessels started operations after the South China Sea fishing ban was lifted on Monday, which had been in effect since May 16. Up to 27,430 fishing boats from southern coastal provinces as well as Hong Kong and Macao rested during the off-season this year, 1,097 fewer than last year. [Photo/Xinhua]

A powerboat leads a group of fishing vessels departing from a port in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province, Aug 1, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]