A comprehensive summer fishing ban will begin on June 1, closing several key marine areas to trawler men for up to three months.

The ban by the Ministry of Agriculture will affect 118,000 boats -- 46,000 more than in 1995 when China first started the ban.

This year the ban will be implemented on areas of the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea, the Bohai Sea and the South China Sea.

The June-September ban is aimed at protecting fish stocks in coastal waters, covering the major breeding season of many species.

Officials claim a reduction in fishing during this period will increase survival rates and protect future resources.

A special allowance from the government will enable fishermen to maintain their livelihoods during the ban period -- and they are looking forward to the harvest when restrictions end.

China's average annual fish output between 1995 and 2001 was 1.28 times higher than the level between 1990 and 1994.

(Xinhua News Agency May 7, 2003)