A two-and-a-half-month ban on fishing has begun in the South China Sea, but the small fishing port of Tanmen hasn't rested idle. The fishermen are either repairing and replenishing their boats in port or taking time to enjoy precious leisure moments on the seashore.

The fishing port in Tanmen township, on the east coast of the island province of Hainan, is the nearest to the Xisha and Nansha islands in the South China Sea. It's estimated that 90 percent of Chinese fishing boats that work near the Huangyan Island are headquartered in Tanmen.

He Shixuan, 56, is the owner of one of the 12 Chinese fishing boats that were boarded by Philippine warships by the Huangyan Island on April 10. The recent dispute between China and the Philippines over the ownership of the island has affected safety of the fishing boats. He's boat recently sailed to the Huangyan waters again after being encouraged by local authorities to show China's presence in the region. He's family has been fishing around Huangyan Island for generations.

Chinese fishermen had no problem with foreign fishing boats, however, they have been repeatedly harassed by other country's warships. "For many years in the past, when we met fishing boats from the Philippines and Malaysia, we usually smiled at each other to show friendliness, and I thought we got along well with each other," said Lin Lao'er, a 28-year-old ship owner.

The fishermen said it has not been uncommon for Philippine naval ships to intercept their boats at sea, but in most cases the sailors demanded cigarettes and alcohol. They made sure to take plentiful of both when they sailed.

China imposes a moratorium on fishing in the South China Sea every year from May 16 to August 1 to allow fish stocks to rebuild. During the period fishermen and employees usually drink tea and play volleyball by the shore as they prepare for their fishing voyage.

Global Times