China's annual summer fishing ban officially ended at noon Monday in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea, north of 35 degrees latitude, marking the start of a new season for thousands of coastal communities.

More than 30,000 fishing vessels set sail from ports across Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, and Shandong, resuming operations after a four-month moratorium aimed at protecting marine ecosystems.

The nationwide ban, which began May 1 and runs through September 16 in some regions, spans the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and parts of the South China Sea north of 12 degrees latitude. It is part of China's long-term strategy to support the natural regeneration of fishery resources and promote sustainable development in the sector.