Various fishing boats berth on the dock in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, ready to set sail for sea. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

Preparations are in full swing for the coming fishing season starting from Aug 1 in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, after three months of fishing moratorium.

Various fishing boats equipped with trawls, crab traps, gill nets, surrounding nets and lift nets are ready to set sail to the East China Sea.

Fishermen are now busy preparing new fishing gears and life supplies on their boats. The preparation work actually started as early as a month ago, according to a Zhoushan fisherman, as the rigorous process includes recruiting new crew members, repairing fishing nets, preparing fishing related materials and preparing the boats.

Shrimps and crabs will be the main focus for fishermen this season, which after being caught will be transported throughout the province.

China has been enforcing an annual fishing moratorium on the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea since 1995, and on the South China Sea since 1999, a move that has effectively eased the pressure of overfishing and preserved the fishery resources.

A fisherman makes preparations on his boat for the coming fishing season. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]