Fishing ban helps Yangtze River biodiversity on recovery mode

The aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River have notably recovered following the fishing ban imposed since 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Monday.

According to a joint report by the ministry along with the ministries of water resources, ecology and environment, and transport, the fishing moratorium set to extend until 2031, along with a series of other protective policies, has yielded positive outcomes.

Monitoring data reveals that compared with 2022, the average catch in the river's main streams increased by 16.7 percent to 2.1 kilograms last year, while major tributaries saw a substantial 64.3 percent rise to 2.3 kilograms.

The report also noted an increase in the discovery of native fish species, with 227 identified in the river last year, a rise of 34 from 2022. The number of protected species found in the river increased to 14, compared to 11 in 2022, indicating an improvement in biodiversity.

Despite these advancements, the ministry acknowledged that the protection of rare and endangered species in the Yangtze River still requires further attention.

Insufficient monitoring of endangered species, coupled with challenges like poor river connectivity and hardened river banks, continue to hinder conservation efforts, it said.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said it plans to intensify its focus on the protection of rare and endangered species, restoration of critical habitats, and control of invasive species as key priorities in the upcoming years.