Zhoushan fishermen set sail as moratorium ends

Fishing boats in Zhoushan, a coastal city in Zhejiang province, set sail on Aug 6 as the three-month fishing moratorium in the East China Sea was lifted on the same day. [Photo/WeChat account: zjzsqdxq] 

The fishing moratorium in the East China Sea was partially lifted on Aug 6 and the first fleet of more than 2,700 fishing boats in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province set sail.

This means consumers will soon have an abundance of fresh fish, shrimp and crab on their tables. The first catches from the East China Sea will be sold to the market two or three days after they are caught at sea, based on previous experience.

"The population of swimming crabs has recuperated during the fishing moratorium. A large number of them will be seen on the market in Zhoushan on Monday," said a seafood merchant in Zhoushan.

Swimming crabs are a bestseller in the livestreaming market, where broadcasters presell seafood to customers nationwide.

Seafood populations have gradually returned to the same level as when he was a child thanks to the fishing ban promoted in recent years, said the merchant, though it has not yet reached the peak when the fishing nets were bursting with crabs. He added that fishermen's catches have indeed improved a lot.