{"id":40093605,"date":"2023-09-18T14:54:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-18T13:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chinadialogueocean.net\/?p=93605"},"modified":"2024-08-27T17:25:49","modified_gmt":"2024-08-27T16:25:49","slug":"online-videos-fuel-craze-for-harvesting-creatures-on-chinas-beaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dialogue.earth\/en\/ocean\/online-videos-fuel-craze-for-harvesting-creatures-on-chinas-beaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Online videos fuel craze for harvesting creatures on China\u2019s beaches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On a rainy day in June, a group of lawyers stood on a tidal flat on Beigang, a small island off Hainan, dressed in rain gear and carrying umbrellas. They had had a good day of sightings: in less than an hour, they\u2019d spotted pistol shrimp, monk crabs, Asian hard clams, razor clams and Beccari\u2019s seagrass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their mentor in this endeavour was Jin Qi, a local from the island. She knows how to spot hidden clams through their keyholes in the sand and mud; quickly, she fished one out after inserting a slender metal hook. This traditional tool and technique aims to be gentle to seagrass and other organisms, as well as their habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lawyers were surveying and searching for organisms in order to find out how to better protect them from a legal perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important, because these days, new marine-harvesting methods seen in Beigang are prompting concern among local fishers and marine conservation NGOs. Tourists are flooding onto China\u2019s foreshores to catch marine life. Their methods are often destructive, damaging seagrass, threatening legally protected species and habitats, and leaving mountains of rubbish behind in the process. All of this has been driven by social media videos where bloggers show off big catches from their visits to the coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a<\/div>
Jin Qi, a Beigang Island fisher, shows visitors how to use a traditional metal hook to catch clams without harming the foreshore environment (Image: Chen Mingzhi \/ China Blue)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For Jin Qi and other locals, the increase in tourists who engage in these destructive methods is reducing their own catch and affecting their daily lives and income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine harvesting affects the public enjoyment of coastal beaches, and impacts species protection and marine ecology. The balance of tourism with the livelihoods of locals, as well as of resource protection and exploitation, and stewarding people\u2019s relationship with the sea, have become important issues. Civil society groups and the government are beginning to consider them and find solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short videos popularise destructive techniques<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the beginning of October 2022, Beigang was inundated with tourists \u2013 and their vehicles \u2013 hoping to catch some sea creatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2021, the Haiwen Bridge has passed through Beigang, connecting it to the cities of Haikou and Wenchang and making it more convenient for people from the surrounding area to visit. On the weekend of China\u2019s National Day holiday on 1 October, the small village even had to call in police from Haikou to direct traffic on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"groups<\/div>
A screengrab of a video by a vlogger filmed during the May Day holiday earlier this year. The vlogger expresses shock at how many people have come to the beach to follow his example and search for marine animals.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The situation in Beigang is symptomatic of the exploding popularity of marine harvesting \u2013 much of it destructive \u2013 among the public in China. In 2020, marine-harvesting videos were viewed over four billion<\/a> times on video-sharing platform Xigua Video. By the end of June 2022, similar videos had been watched 36.69 billion<\/a> times on short-form video platform Douyin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of the behaviour exhibited by bloggers in their videos is negatively known in the industry as \u201cploughing<\/a>\u201d. This is when people assemble on the beach in droves to methodically dig up the entire surface of a beach in search of marine life. Other hunting techniques have included: using high-pressure water cannons or electric shocks; arbitrarily flipping over rocks; pumping all the water out of large rock pools, then filling them with animal meat and entrails as bait to attract carnivorous sea creatures; digging holes in the sand; digging out seagrass, and tipping salt into keyholes to force clams to emerge. People have even been filmed entering conservation areas and other places where harvesting is expressly prohibited. Often, they don\u2019t release any of their catch, even when it is too small or unsuitable to consume or sell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the tourists who flock to small villages like Beigang emulate actions seen in the videos, hoping for their own big catch and a day of entertainment. But a lack of harvesting skills has meant many visitors complain of only catching a few shells<\/a> after hours of attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over-harvesting threatens organisms across the food chain. As early as 2018, the Qingdao Municipal Committee pointed out that intensive harvesting activities had damaged habitats in the intertidal zone of Shandong province, resulting in a decline<\/a> in biodiversity there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Video<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"a<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Screengrabs from a video of a man using pig lungs as bait in a rockpool and an electric pump to remove the water from the pool before fishing out various animals.<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Beigang is not unique in this issue. Huangcuo Beach in Xiamen, a city on China\u2019s south-eastern coast, is an important habitat for lancelets. These animals are Class II-protected \u2013 the second strictest national protection classification. In 2021, hordes of tourists descended on the beach to dig<\/a> for clams and cockles, causing serious harm to both the lancelets and the conservation area. Their behaviour was documented by the media, who called it \u201cdestructive<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adverse environmental impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In fishing villages, the men are mostly labourers, fishers, or farmers, while many women make a living by harvesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liu Yi, executive director of the China Mangrove Conservation Network, holds a doctorate in environmental science and has been keenly focused on the ecological protection of coastal regions for many years. \u201cThere are many ways to conduct marine harvesting,\u201d he says. \u201cLocals know what to catch, in which season, and what not to\u2026 They have specialised tools\u2026 Some catch razor clams, and others sandworms or other molluscs; they don\u2019t all catch the same species.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take Jin Qi as an example. The expert marine harvester\u2019s focus is sandworms. She knows how to locate them, and uses appropriate tools that do not affect the beach environment or other creatures. Meanwhile, villagers who lack the skills to dig for sandworms instead go for clams, mantis shrimps and snails, she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far, traditional marine-harvesting techniques used by fishers have posed no threat or damage to the local marine environment. \u201cThis is folk wisdom,\u201d Liu Yi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"oysters<\/div>
A harvest of oysters and clams gathered by a local fisher in Beigang. Locals know what species to catch in what season, and use techniques that avoid damaging the ecosystem. This ensures a continuous supply of shellfish, which they rely on to make their living. (Image: Chen Mingzhi \/ China Blue)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tidal flats like the one in Beigang host other organisms significant to the marine environment and ecology, such as seagrass and mangroves, which help mitigate climate change by absorbing and storing carbon. The influx of harvesting tourists has caused many negative environmental impacts on the intertidal zone in a short period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most obvious of these is pollution. Yun Hong, executive director of the China Blue Sustainability Institute, or China Blue, gave the example of tourists who sprinkled salt on the tidal flat to catch razor clams: \u201cThe quantity of salt is the main thing. A small amount won\u2019t have much of an environmental impact, but if a whole bag is tipped out and then discarded, it\u2019ll cause direct pollution and affect other organisms within the tidal flat.\u201d China Blue has been conducting projects, such as the expedition with the lawyers, to help local authorities establish rules on marine harvesting and reduce the adverse impact of improper harvesting on fishing communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, China\u2019s marine bulletins<\/a> have demonstrated that areas associated with tourism, leisure and entertainment, agriculture, and fishing, as well as ports and shipping sites, have a high density of marine garbage. Rubbish left behind from marine harvesting \u2013 including food waste, plastic, and discarded nets \u2013 accumulate in the intertidal zone, polluting the environment, and impacting the ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creatures in the intertidal zone hide in the silt or under reefs and rocks by burying or burrowing. Many tourists recklessly flip them over or trample on tidal flats, which can harm these creatures and damage their habitats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over-harvesting threatens organisms across the food chain. As early as 2018, the Qingdao Municipal Committee pointed out that intensive harvesting activities had damaged habitats in the intertidal zone of Shandong province, resulting in a decline<\/a> in biodiversity there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"video<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"a<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Screengrabs of a video of someone digging out sand and using salt to force razor clams out of their holes<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Marine harvesters also inadvertently trample on seagrass \u2013 which lives and flowers completely underwater \u2013 or dig it up deliberately in an effort to catch sea creatures. Seagrass has important ecological value and functions: not only does it provide habitats and nurseries for marine organisms, it can also help mitigate climate change through carbon capture. In recent years, the increase in tourists has created environmental issues<\/a> such as pollution of seagrass beds in Hainan, resulting in a downward<\/a> trend in biodiversity, distribution, density and biomass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The south side of Beigang Island is an internationally important wetland, and the site of the Donghai Port Nature Reserve, which exists to protect the area\u2019s mangroves. Marine harvesting is prohibited within conservation areas such as these, with legal repercussions for trespassing. But tourists and fishers still go there to catch creatures<\/a>, either oblivious to these rules or disregarding them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhao Peng, associate researcher at Hainan University\u2019s School of Marine Science and Engineering, is leading a study into the impact of social media on marine biodiversity. He told China Dialogue that, \u201caside from the environmental consequences, [marine-harvesting tourism] also impacts villages, as fishers get crowded out from their fishing space and source of livelihood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jin Qi, of Beigang, agreed, saying that she didn\u2019t manage to find as many sandworms as before. \u201cThere are too many people coming to harvest clams, so there are a lot fewer creatures this year compared to last,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yun Hong said that coastal fishing communities have a mixed reaction towards the marine-harvesting craze. \u201cSome villagers are happy because there are more tourists, and they can set up stalls to make money, but some of the [fishers] who depend on marine harvesting for their livelihoods feel it disturbs them. There are too many people coming, which impacts local resources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking action: How to fish in an ecological and civil manner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is currently very little research on the impact of marine harvesting on tidal flat organisms, ecology, and even communities, but that hasn\u2019t stopped a number of organisations from taking action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better Blue, a marine-protection organisation, has posted a map of common conservation areas on social media where people are prohibited from entering, as well as protected species in different areas to remind the public not to catch them. The Guangxi Biodiversity Research and Conservation Association has created a code of conduct for tourists seeking to harvest<\/a> marine creatures, focused on protecting the mangroves and local marine ecology, specifically the Class II-protected Chinese horseshoe crabs<\/a> found in the coastal wetlands of Beihai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a<\/div>
A map posted on Chinese social media<\/a> by marine protection organisation Better Blue, showing protected areas where marine harvesting is prohibited, including the Sanya Coral Reef Nature Reserve in Hainan (Graphic: Better Blue)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Jin Qi led the lawyers in their experience of marine harvesting, an activity jointly organised by China Blue and the Hainan Lawyers Association. Through collaboration with legal institutions, they hope to reduce the adverse impact of marine harvesting, impress upon people the biodiversity of coastal wetlands, and provide a reference for coastal protection in law. They are investigating gaps in the current legal provision and loopholes that could be closed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The China Mangrove Conservation Network has proposed the concept of \u201cscientific marine harvesting\u201d. The network\u2019s executive director, Liu Yi, explained that this is distinct from \u201ctraditional\u201d marine harvesting, which is purely a means of obtaining seafood. Scientific marine harvesting is where knowledge, rather than food, is the primary goal. In 2022, he published \u201cLet\u2019s Go Marine Harvesting\u201d, a series of three books raising awareness of beach biodiversity to publicise the concept. He said: \u201cWe hope to promote direct [and responsible] contact with the sea through marine harvesting, so the public can connect with and understand the ocean, the intertidal zone, and its biodiversity.\u201d Through the books, tourists can find out which creatures should not be disturbed, which should be released after observation and which are too small to catch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liu Yi said two rules should govern marine harvesting: it must be strictly prohibited in conservation areas, and the capacity of non-protected areas to withstand harvesting should be evaluated before the area is opened to the public. \u201cIf the intertidal zone can only sustainably support 200 people to harvest sea creatures without affecting the reproduction of local species, then 2,000 people coming will exceed the capacity of the area, whether they\u2019re led by local villagers or not,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2022, China Blue and five Hainan eco-tourism and conservation organisations launched their \u201cten recommendations for ecological marine harvesting<\/a>\u201d, which offers guidance on caring for the environment, protecting the ocean, and respecting local communities. The core considerations are to protect the balance of local ecological systems, minimise the impact on tidal flat ecology and organisms, protect habitats, and leave as little trace as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ten recommendations for ecological marine harvesting<\/span>
\n

Be safe<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Understand local sea conditions and tides, to ensure safety<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Care for the environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Take away your own rubbish, and actively pick up discarded nets and other plastic waste
\u2022 Wear physical sun protection, such as long sleeves and hats, to reduce the use of sunscreen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect the ocean<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Focus on observing and photographing nature; try not to harm marine life through direct contact
\u2022 Gently turn over rocks, and return them to their original position
\u2022 Do not remove protected creatures such as horseshoe crabs or tiger cowries
\u2022 Do not use chemical agents such as edible salt, nor electricity or power tools
\u2022 In areas where seagrass grows, do not use excavating tools such as rakes, which damage the seagrass
\u2022 Do not conduct marine harvesting en masse, and give the sea time to recover<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respect communities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Respect local customs and culture, and do not disturb the local community<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In November 2022, at the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands\u2019 COP14 meeting, a number of Chinese organisations jointly issued the Civil Marine Harvesting<\/a> public initiative. This called on all members of society to care for the environment, protect the oceans and respect communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The increase in tourism driven by marine harvesting has been a double-edged sword for Beigang Island. Despite the environmental damage, the tourism has brought with it benefits, and China Blue\u2019s Yun Hong said the island had changed dramatically since. The government had improved environmental sanitation management and built infrastructure such as car parks and public toilets. Social organisations had also increased scientific awareness about the area\u2019s ecology, and the human living environment on the island was now of a higher standard, added Yun Hong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond marine harvesting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As coastal flats are public resources, it would be unrealistic to prohibit tourists from marine harvesting outside conservation areas. Additionally, tourists contribute to the local economy and are regarded by the government as recreational fishers. By extension, they\u2019re seen as increasing income from fishing on the whole and helping to transform the fishing industry and villages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September 2022, Hainan province piloted measures for recreational fishing management<\/a>, which included proposals on regulating the development of the industry. Yun Hong explained that, galvanised by the surge in popularity of marine harvesting on Beigang, various government departments had formulated plans to promote the sustainable and ecological development of marine harvesting. These plans establish responsibilities for different regional divisions and coordinate work across areas such as environmental monitoring and public advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liu Yi suggested opening up marine harvesting areas in non-conservation regions for tourists and residents, along with regularly breeding and releasing, or supplementing with additional marine stock, so tourists can have a more rewarding experience of marine harvesting. This would also benefit the local community, he says, as \u201cguided eco-tours where tourists can be taken for marine harvesting, particularly [led by] experienced fishers \u2026 or mobile elderly people, can generate income and increase employment opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a<\/div>
A sightseeing tour operated by Hainan\u2019s Wusuoguizhi fisher collective. With the decline of the town\u2019s fishing industry, the group has been developing ways to make a living that make use of their knowledge of the local environment. (Image: Zhao Yi \/ China Dialogue Ocean)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

But merely advocating for ecologically minded and civilised marine harvesting isn\u2019t enough to solve the various problems related to tourism, resource protection, and improving the livelihoods of fishing communities. Acknowledging that, China Blue are exploring different solutions. They have been working with fisher collectives in Tanmen township, eastern Hainan, to create popular science tourism services centred around coastal fishery resources and culture. The organisation has also been discussing industrial development plans for fishing communities with the Beigang Island Village Committee and Revitalisation Team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yun Hong said that China Blue\u2019s long-term goal is to promote the sustainable development of coastal fishing communities: \u201cEcological marine harvesting is a starting point for our advocacy. We wish to see what attitudes all parties have towards the protection and utilisation of coastal public resources, how it\u2019s implemented, and the capacity of fishing communities to cope. This is, in fact, all a part of transforming and developing fishing villages.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As tourists engage in harmful techniques popularised on social media, fishers and national NGOs propose codes of conduct to protect the ecology<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":731,"featured_media":40093637,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50039901],"tags":[511,523,50040739],"hashtags":[],"country":[20000110],"class_list":["post-40093605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ocean","tag-biodiversity","tag-conservation","tag-tourism","country-china"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOnline videos fuel craze for harvesting creatures on China\u2019s beaches | Dialogue Earth<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As tourists engage in harmful techniques popularised on social media, fishers and national NGOs propose codes of conduct to protect the ecology\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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