NANNING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of fishing boats departed from ports in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region at noon on Friday, marking the end of a fishing ban this summer.

Grand fishing ceremonies were held in several cities in Guangxi Friday.

Lu Hui, deputy mayor of the city of Fangchenggang, said that holding such ceremonies is a tradition of fishermen to express admiration and gratitude for nature.

China first enacted the annual fishing ban in 1999, aiming at protecting marine resources and the ecological environment.

The three-and-a-half-month fishing ban began on May 1 and no fishing activities were allowed in sea areas under China's jurisdiction during the period.