Fishermen offer sacrifices to the sea during the 11th annual Xiangshan Fishing Season Festival, which kicked off in Shipu Village in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo on Monday, September 15, 2008. [Photo: Xinhuanet.com]

The 11th annual Xiangshan Fishing Season Festival kicked off in Shipu Village in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo on Monday, Xinhua News Agency reports.

Local villagers and fishermen offered sacrifices, wine, dance and drum performances to the sea in hopes of a bountiful harvest in the upcoming fishing season. Millions of small fish were also sent back to the sea as part of the ceremony.

This year's Fishing Season Festival is organized and run by local fishermen themselves.

The Village of Shipu hosts a large fishing population and is home to lots of fishing-related folk customs.

(CRI September 17, 2008)