On May 16th, the reporter learned from the South China Sea Branch of the China Coast Guard that from May 1st to May 15th, the bureau organized the third, fourth, and fifth bureaus directly under the China Coast Guard, as well as the Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan Coast Guard bureaus and fishery departments of the three provinces (regions), to carry out the first synchronized law enforcement operation for the 2024 South China Sea summer fishing ban in the waters north of 12 degrees north latitude. A total of 32 fishing cases were investigated and 97 involved ships were seized. The picture shows the inspection of fishing boats by maritime law enforcement officers on May 15th. According to relevant regulations, starting from 12:00 pm on May 1st, the South China Sea area north of 12 degrees north latitude will enter a 3-and-a-half-month marine off-season fishing ban. The fishing ban targets all types of operations except for fishing gear and fishing auxiliary vessels serving fishing vessels. The picture shows the Coast Guard fleet in cruise control on May 14th. (Image provided by the South China Sea Branch of the China Coast Guard) The South China Sea Branch of the China Coast Guard coordinates the maritime law enforcement forces in the sea area, strengthens patrol and control, strictly implements the summer fishing ban measures, seriously investigates and deals with illegal fishing by domestic fishing vessels, and severely crack down on foreign fishing vessel infringement. The mission vessel "should go out as much as possible" to increase cruising density. A total of 1457 maritime law enforcement vessels and 34 aircraft were deployed, and 240 fishery management vessels cooperated in the operation. During the operation, a total of 138 foreign fishing vessels were driven away, 14 were inspected, and 1 vessel with 10 people was arrested. The picture shows law enforcement officers boarding and inspecting fishing boats on May 12th. The picture is provided by the South China Sea Branch of the China Coast Guard. On May 14th, the Coast Guard aircraft conducted an aerial patrol in the closed fishing area. In 2024, there were 44444 fishing boats that were required to rest and 5569 fishing boats that were exempted from rest in the South China Sea, covering the three provinces (regions) of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao regions. The area is wide and the management is difficult. In order to further improve law enforcement efficiency, the South China Sea Sub bureau has established an efficient coordination and three-dimensional control law enforcement model of "shore sea air" forces. Through conducting large-scale and high-density patrols and patrols throughout the sea area, it effectively implements the marine off-season fishing ban system, crack down on various illegal and criminal activities related to fishing, effectively protect marine fishery resources, and safeguard national marine rights and interests. (Lai Xin She)