Oasis Circular No. 1903

Subject: Annual Fishing Bans in Chinese Waters will be lifted starting from 01 Aug 2019

As per the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of P.R.C (MOA), the annual fishing bans will be lifted starting from 01 Aug 2019. At 1200 hours on 01 Aug, thousands of fishing boats including the types of Truss-trawl for shrimp, cage and pot, gill net, light-seining(lift) net proceeded to waters within 35 °N and the“boundary between Fujian Province and Guangdong Province” (About 23 °30′) of the Yellow sea and the East China Sea for fishing.

I. Fishing boats situation in the accident prone area

The below diagrams show the situation of fishing boats in the waters off Shanghai、  Ningbo、Zhoushan、Taizhou、Xiamen where the regular routes of merchant ships go through the fishing grounds and collision incidents involving fishing boats happen more frequently than in other areas.

aa.  Fishing boats off Shanghai waters

bb. Fishing boats off Ningbo and Zhoushan Waters

Cc. Fishing boats off Taizhou Waters


dd.  Fishing boats off Xiamen Waters

II. The applicable waters, type and period of fishing ban

According to MOA, the applicable periods of annual fishing ban among different waters in China include the following:

1.0 Waters north of 35°N in the  Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, the ban period is between 1200 hours on 01 May and 1200 hours on 01 September.

2.0 Waters between 35 °N and 26°30′N in the Yellow sea and the East China Sea, the ban period is between 1200 hours 01 May and 1200 hours on 16 September. For the waters between 26°30′N and the “boundary of Fujian Province and Guangdong Province” of the East China Sea, the ban period is between 1200 hours on 01 May and 1200 hours on 16 August. In the aforesaid periods and waters, however, the types of fishing boats include truss-trawl for shrimp, cage and pot, gill net, light-seining(lift) net are only banned between 1200 hours on 01 May and 1200 hours on 01 August.

3.0 Waters between 12°N and the “boundary of Fujian Province and Guangdong Province” of the East China Sea (including Beibu Gulf), the ban period is between 1200 hours on 01 May and 1200 hours on 16 August.

4.0 The ban period of Set-net fishing starts from 1200 hours of 01 May, which shall not be less than 3 months, the end of ban period is to be determined by the local fishery authorities and reported to MOA for record.

5.0 The “boundary of Fujian Province and Guangdong Province” refers to the water administration boundary line between Fujian Province and Guangdong Province as well as the connecting line drawn between the shore end of the said boundary line (117°31′37.40″E, 23°09′42.60″N)  and the E Luan Bi Light House (120°50′43″E, 21°54′15N) at the south end of Taiwan Island.

For your easy reference, below is an illustration of fishing ban in different waters of China.

Water and periods of fishing ban in China

III. Suggestions to ship owners, ship managers and masters

1.0 Be familiar with the start time and end time of the fishing ban, carry out relevant safety training for the characteristics of fishing areas and fishing boats.

2.0 Avoid the traditional fish farms and fishing areas. When choosing their routes, ships shall be properly away from the shore, apply the recommended routes reasonably and strictly obey the Ship Routing System.

3.0 Fully comply with relevant provisions of COLREGS 1972 and Safety Management System, ensure there is proper and sufficient lookout, keep a safe speed, and take early avoidance actions.  

4.0 In the process of avoiding fishing boats, ship officers shall consider the particular operational characteristics of the fishing boat/s involved. If effective radio communication cannot be established between the ship and the fishing boat/s, all other available means shall be used to warn the fishing boat/s.

5.0 In case a collision incident occurs or is suspected to have occurred, rescue operation shall be immediately carried out taking into consideration various factors such as safety of the ship and her crews, the surrounding environment etc.  Meanwhile, the ship shall contact the nearest VTS/MSA via VHF or their emergency telephone no. +86 12395 as soon as possible.  The ship’s agents should also be informed.  

This circular is prepared by our Xiamen office for your reference. You may also contact our Xiamen office directly if there is any further query.  
Attn: Mr. Dongyao Huang
Email: xiamen@oasispandi.com
Duty Mobile: 86 152 592 00803

We hope the above is of assistance.

Best regards,

Oasis P&I Services Company Limited