Just like a local fisheries cultural expert Zhu Yunlin said, the special culture includes modes of production and life, spiritual pursuits, beliefs, and art forms evolved from the development of marine fishery at the macro level.

The Xiangshan ecological protection zone was ratified by the Ministry of Culture in June 2010 due to Xiangshan being a typical representation of Chinese oceanic fisheries culture with its long history, various types and well-preserved cultural heritages. The construction began in February 2013 after the overall planning was passed.

Wu Jian, deputy director general of the Xiangshan county bureau of culture, radio, TV, film, press and publication, explains the history and stories behind the cultural relics. [Photo by Feng Lu/chinadaily.com.cn]

According to Wu Jian, deputy director general of the Xiangshan county bureau of culture, radio, TV, film, press and publication, the protection zone is a trial in the field and the integral conservation on the international frontier issue has become a model example.

In the past four years, the zone has built several teaching centers, organized more than 20 artistic evening parties, recruited nearly 100 volunteers to spread intangible cultural heritages, and offered nearly 200 cultural classes to students, government officials and local residents.

Early in 1995, Xiangshan fishermen had foreseen the exhaustion of fishery resources and proposed the concept of summer fishing off season which was approved by the State Council and lasted up to now from May 15 to Sept 15 every year.

A photo at the exhibition shows the spectacular scene at the China Fishing Festival. [Photo by Feng Lu/chinadaily.com.cn]