The picture shows the scene of fishing boats competing on August 16th. Photo by Liu Guoxing/Guangming Image

Guangming Daily, Yangjiang, August 16th (Reporters Lei Aixia and Wu Chunyan)The 24th South China Sea (Yangjiang) Fishing Season Fishing Order Release Event was held on Hailing Island in Yangjiang, Guangdong on the 16th. With the issuance of the fishing order, more than 3400 fishing boats in Yangjiang sounded their horns and set sail, cutting through the waves and heading towards the fertile fishing grounds of the South China Sea, embarking on a new magnificent journey of cultivating the sea, grazing and fishing.

As an important node of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, Yangjiang has the world-class cultural card of "Nanhai No.1", and intangible cultural heritage such as Danjia culture, fishing songs, and sea worship customs have continued to this day. Activate and utilize the resources of the Maritime Silk Road culture during the fishing season, showcase local marine customs through the system, promote innovation and transformation of Maritime Silk Road culture, and transform abstract historical context into experiential and perceptible activity content.

This event will deeply integrate the two traditional folk customs of ancient sea worship and fishing family marriage. The local intangible cultural heritage performance team follows the millennium old fisherman's ritual to hold a sea sacrifice ceremony, conveying a simple sentiment of reverence for nature and gratitude for cultivating the sea; The Fisherman's Wedding Scene Parade takes visitors from the Fisherman's Style Street all the way to the Fisherman's Feast site, fully replicating the traditional wedding process of the Dan ethnic group, allowing tourists to taste the unique fisherman's feast while experiencing the authentic fisherman's charm.

On the basis of traditional fishing customs, this fishing season has also expanded with new cultural and sports activities such as the National Surfing (Long Board) Championships, West Coast Marine Games, and Tai Kok Bay Coastal Carnival. Sports competitions, beach night markets, and music markets have been integrated into the fishing season, building a tourism chain of "watching fishing, appreciating folk customs, playing along the coast, tasting seafood, and buying seafood".

At the same time, Yangjiang held the first Cross Strait Folk Culture and Sports Exchange, inviting guests from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to participate in cultural performances, visits to intangible cultural heritage, and industrial research, upgrading the fishing season to an important platform for cross-strait maritime cultural exchanges.

The South China Sea (Yangjiang) Fishing Season is a major fishing event in Guangdong Province, which has been held for 24 consecutive years and has become a highly recognizable urban landmark in Yangjiang. Nowadays, the fishing season has evolved from a simple fishery production activity to an industrial hub that integrates fishing and tourism, and connects production and sales. Relying on the flow advantage gathered during the fishing season, Yangjiang comprehensively showcases the development achievements of diversified marine industries such as ocean pastures, offshore wind power, and offshore equipment, attracting capital and talent to gather.

Guangming Daily (August 17, 2026, 4th edition)

(Author Guangming Network)