Relying on the “sands” （shatian） at the Pearl River Estuary which grew quickly during the Ming-Qing period，various aquatic animals flourished and showed great economic value. The coastal waters that nourish these animals were called “water port” （shuibu），and there are constant disputes over their control and fishing rights. Since the mid-Ming period，a “port-owner” （buzhu） system has been formed in the interaction between officials and the people. The government admitted various rights of the “port-owner” as they pay the quota of fishing tax without taxpayer. The “port-owner” was banned in the late Kangxi period，and the registration of “Dan” （people who lived by fishing，on boats，or under awning set up by the water） was strengthened. In this context，the imperial court ordered that the right to benefit from the water port should be attributed to the Dan，but the local government adopted different governance measures according to classification of these water ports in practice.