More than 3,400 fishing vessels in Qingdao returned to sea on Sept 1, after the annual summer fishing moratorium in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea came to an end.

At noon, boats began departing from fishing ports across the city for a new season of fishing. At Jimiya Wharf in Qingdao West Coast New Area, nearly 300 vessels headed out after crews completed their final preparations.

In the hours before departure, fishermen repaired nets, loaded ice, organized cabins and stocked up on food and drinking water. Some crews also prepared meals in advance so they could devote their attention to fishing once at sea.

The first nearshore vessels were expected to return later that evening with the season's earliest fresh catch, while larger hauls were due to arrive in the early hours of the following morning.

Hairtail, Spanish mackerel, silver pomfret and other popular species are expected to reach local markets in greater quantities as fishing resumes, ushering in one of the busiest periods of Qingdao's autumn seafood season.

Fishing boats fan out from Jimiya Fishing Port as the autumn fishing season begins. [Photo/VCG]

Fishermen prepare to set out from Jimiya Fishing Port in Qingdao West Coast New Area as the four-month summer fishing moratorium ends. [Photo/VCG]

Fishing boats set out from Jimiya Fishing Port in Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/VCG]