The South China Sea Fishing Moratorium 2026 officially starts on May 1st, impacting the seafood supply chain in China

The annual summer fishing moratorium in the South China Sea officially commenced at 12:00 PM on May 1st, 2026. Following the “2026 Guangdong Marine Summer Fishing Moratorium Work Plan”, this restriction will remain in effect until August 16th.

Impact on Market Supply

During this 3.5-month period, all commercial fishing vessels (except for specialized angling gear) are required to remain in port. This suspension leads to a direct reduction in the volume of wild-caught marine fish entering the market. Historically, this supply gap results in an upward adjustment of seafood prices across the region as demand shifts toward aquaculture products.

Focus on Japanese Seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus)

As a major producer of Japanese Seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus) in Zhuhai, we are closely monitoring these market shifts. Our facility in Pingsha Town continues to operate at full capacity to ensure a consistent supply of farmed seabass for our international clients.

Unlike wild catch, our farmed Japanese Seabass offers:

• Stable Specifications: Consistent sizing and glazing levels tailored to export requirements.

• Price Reliability: While market prices are currently trending upward due to the moratorium, our integrated farm-to-factory model helps mitigate extreme price volatility for our long-term partners.

• Certified Quality: All processing remains compliant with HACCP and BRC standards, ensuring that the seasonal change in supply does not affect product safety.

Current Outlook

We expect the demand for frozen seabass fillets and whole-round products to remain strong throughout the summer months. We recommend our partners coordinate their procurement plans in advance to secure current pricing and shipping schedules.

For the latest price lists and processing schedules, please contact our sales team directly.