S China Sea summer fishing moratorium starts A fisherman prepares for the fishing ban on May 16, 2012, in Shantou city, Guangdong province...

S China Sea summer fishing moratorium starts

A fisherman prepares for the fishing ban on May 16, 2012, in Shantou city, Guangdong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fishing boats tied up in Sanya, Hainan province, on May 16, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fishermen sort and package fishing nets at a port in Sanya, Hainan province on May 16, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fishing boats return to Haikou Xingang Port in Hainan province to prepare for the moratorium on May 16, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fishermen cleans fishing vessels on May 16, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fishing boats tied up in Sanya, Hainan province, on May 16, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fishing boats tied up in Sanya, Hainan province, on May 16, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Bureau of Fishery Administration in the South China Sea Region under the Ministry of Agriculture announced that, as of midday May 16, most areas in the South China Sea will be affected by a summer fishing ban of two and a half months.

The region includes the South China Sea area between 12°N and the waters bordering Fujian and Guangdong province (including the Beibu Gulf). Apart from single-layer gill nets and fishing tackle, other types of fishing operations are prohibited.

According to statistics, Hainan province's 8,994 fishing vessels are including in this year's moratorium, affecting 35,611 fishermen and accounting for 38 percent of the total number of the fishing vessels in the province.

The fishing moratorium will last until August 1.