The reporter learned from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs today (9th) that since the ban on fishing in the Yangtze River was fully launched in 2021, various policies and measures have been effectively implemented, and the fishing ban has achieved phased results.

Over the past four years, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has carried out in-depth rescue operations for flagship species such as the Chinese sturgeon, the Yangtze River Plunder, and the Yangtze River Sturgeon, and aquatic biodiversity has continued to recover.

Yi Yanrong, Deputy Director of the Fisheries Supervision and Administration Office of the Yangtze River Basin of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Monitoring data shows that from 2021 to 2024, a total of 344 indigenous fish species were monitored in the Yangtze River Basin, an increase of 36 species from 2017 to 2020 before the fishing ban. The aquatic biological integrity index in key waters in the Yangtze River Basin has increased significantly.

In addition, the resettlement guarantee for retired fishermen is effectively implemented. All 145,000 retired fishermen with employment ability and willingness have been transferred to employment, all 220,000 retired fishermen who meet the conditions have participated in basic pension insurance, and all 12,000 fishermen with difficulties in life are included in the scope of minimum living allowance relief, so as to "help all who should be helped", "insurance all who should be protected" and "rescue all who should be rescued".

For more than four years, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation, has cracked down on illegal fishing, and the order of fishing ban management is generally stable.

The latest data shows that administrative cases involving fishery in 2024 fell by 24.7% year-on-year, and 3.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, maintaining a strong deterrence of high-pressure and strict management, and general illegal and irregular behaviors have been effectively curbed. However, with the gradual recovery of fishery resources, the temptation of illegal fishing benefits has increased, gang crimes have risen, and the underground industrial chain of "fishing, transportation and sales" has become more hidden.

Yi Yanrong, Deputy Director of the Fisheries Administration Supervision and Administration Office of the Yangtze River Basin of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: We will work with the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation to focus on organizing, large-scale and chain-based illegal and criminal gangs, and resolutely cut off the underground industrial chain of illegal "tracking, transportation and sales". Strengthen the construction of law enforcement capabilities, vigorously promote the reward reporting system, improve the work system for group prevention and control, combine the standardized fishing management with blockage, clean up and rectify the banned fishing gear, and further eliminate potential fishing risks.

(CCTV reporter Liang Lijuan, Chen Yewei, Ling Shu, Wang Weichao, Jingzhou TV)