Daya Bay bans unauthorized trips to uninhabited islands
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The Administrative Committee of the Daya Bay Development Zone in Huizhou, Guangdong, has issued a notice on strengthening island protection, stressing that uninhabited islands are state-owned and setting out three protection principles: maintaining the status quo without approval, strictly limiting sample collection, and banning illegal landings.
The notice says no organization or individual may, without approval, use yachts, fishing boats or other vessels to illegally berth at or land on uninhabited islands.
It also bans people from going to uninhabited islands for diving, fishing, swimming, sightseeing, camping and other leisure, sports or tourism activities.
Authorities said those who damage island ecosystems or nearby waters may face civil liability, while safety incidents during illegal landings that cause loss of life or property can lead to legal liability and, where crimes are involved, criminal prosecution.
Key Points
- The notice was issued by the Daya Bay Development Zone Administrative Committee and frames uninhabited islands as state-owned areas under stricter ecological protection rules.
- It sets three principles: preserve islands' current condition without approval, tightly restrict sample collection, and prohibit illegal island landings by any party.
- Unauthorized vessels, including yachts and fishing boats, are barred from berthing at or landing on uninhabited islands in the Daya Bay area.
- Recreational visits including diving, angling, swimming, sightseeing and camping are explicitly banned, alongside other sports and tourism activities on the islands.
- A summer joint enforcement drive runs until next Sunday, August 16, the start of the fishing season, after 119 suspected vessels were impounded by Wednesday, August 12.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong residents who travel by private boat or join sea recreation trips in nearby Guangdong waters, the notice means casual island-hopping around Daya Bay now carries clearer legal and safety risks.
The scale of enforcement, including vessel seizures, detentions and fines, suggests the restrictions are being actively implemented rather than left as a paper warning.