Fishing vessels set sail for the start of the fishing season in Taizhou. [Photo/Tide News]

Nearly 2,000 licensed fishing vessels set sail from Taizhou in East China's Zhejiang province on Aug 5, as the summer fishing moratorium ended. 

The return of fishing operations has thrilled seafood lovers eager for the season's first catch.

Zhejiang authorities delayed the issuance of special fishing permits by four days. The authorized fishing period now runs from Aug 5 to Sep 16, covering four types of operations: gillnets, light-purse seine nets, cage and pot fishing, and outrigger shrimp trawling.

In Jiaojiang district, Jin Lingjiang, a boat captain, expressed confidence in the season's first catch. "We have spent a week preparing, checking nets and equipment, and stocking up," he said. His vessel, a shrimp trawler, is expected to return in two days with shrimp and crab.

Some vessels are expected to return today with seasonal seafood such as swimming crabs, yellow croaker, pomfret, and white croaker.