Fishing boats in Yangjiang, Guangdong Province, set sail as the seasonal fishing ban in the South China Sea ended yesterday after lasting three and a half months. The annual fishing ban in the South China Sea began in 1999 and is aimed at protecting the ecosystem and biodiversity from excessive fishing. Safety inspections on fishing gear and vessels are carried out during the ban, while training for relevant regulations and skills are offered to fishermen.   Hong Kong China News Agency