After the fishing bans to the types of Truss-trawl for shrimp, cage and pot, gill net, light-seining(lift) net were firstly lifted on 01 Aug, the fishing bans of the other primary fishing types in the Chinese waters below 26 °30′N, including the Taiwan Strait, Qiongzhou Strait, South China Sea, etc will be lifted at 1200 hrs on 16 Aug 2020. Thousands of fishing boats will be hurrying to the fishing grounds at the same time. This will undoubtedly have serious effect on the traffic density and will pose a threat to merchant ships in terms of navigational safety.

Sea situation at the moment that fishing ban is end

The applicable waters, type and period of fishing ban

According to Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of P.R.C (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.


                  Waters and duration of fishing ban in China

Suggestions to ship owners, ship managers and masters

1.0 Be familiar with the starting and ending 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 sensibly and strictly comply with the ship routing and reporting requirements of the local Maritime Safety Administration ("MSA").

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 that is commensurate with the prevailing situation, 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.  

We hope the above is of assistance. Should you have any query, please feel free to contact us at any time. 

Best regards, 

Oasis P&I Services Company Limited