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BAN FISHING POLICY LEADS TO ECOLOGICAL<br />
IMPROVEMENT IN YANGTZE RIVER<br />
When the spring breeze blows across the river in<br />
March, a feast of life is quietly taking place on the<br />
bank of the Qinhuai River in Xiaguan, Nanjing,<br />
where it enters the Yangtze River estuary.<br />
With the implementation of the Yangtze River<br />
protection policy and the ten-year fishing ban<br />
policy, the long-awaited crab tide reappeared<br />
at the intersection of the Yangtze River and<br />
Qinhuai River in Nanjing this year.<br />
This wonder has disappeared for more than<br />
20 years since the beginning of this century.<br />
Recently, countless Chinese mitten crab larvae<br />
have begun their migration, moving upstream<br />
from the Yangtze River and heading bravely<br />
towards the Qinhuai River. In the dark of night,<br />
the shore of the Qinhuai River estuary witnessed<br />
this magnificent crab tide. Under the moonlight,<br />
thousands of young crabs climbed along the flood control wall and tried to pass the river gate, like an unknown army,<br />
resolutely marching towards the river. Goal.<br />
However, not everyone is in awe of this wonder of nature. Some passers-by greedily capture these young creatures<br />
and try to turn them into delicacies. This behavior not only destroys the ecological balance and ignores legal<br />
prohibitions, but also deprives young crabs of the possibility of growing into plump hairy crabs in autumn. As the<br />
old saying goes: "If you don't catch crabs in spring, you won't lose crabs in autumn." Today's people seem to have<br />
forgotten this wisdom.<br />
Fortunately, the relevant departments responded quickly and have installed guardrails and crab ladders in relevant<br />
areas to prevent passers-by from picking up and helping small crabs cross the locks and enter the river.<br />
The Yangtze River Estuary was once a natural spawning ground for the Chinese mitten crab, but due to overfishing<br />
and environmental pollution, the number of wild crabs has plummeted. Fortunately, with the advancement of the<br />
Yangtze River protection policy, this situation has improved.<br />
Although the number of Chinese mitten crabs has rebounded, this does not mean that we can restart fishing. Wild<br />
crabs may accumulate heavy metals and organic pollutants in their bodies. Catching immature crabs will not only<br />
prevent you from enjoying the deliciousness of hairy crabs, but may also harm your health. The "Yangtze River<br />
Protection Law of the People's Republic of China" and the "Fisheries Management Regulations of Jiangsu Province"<br />
have explicitly prohibited fishing in the Yangtze River Basin. These are regulations that everyone should abide by.<br />
The life course of the Chinese mitten crab is full of hardships and miracles. They start from daphnia-like larvae in the<br />
sea, undergo multiple metamorphoses, and gradually grow into big-eyed larvae, then to first-stage larvae, and finally<br />
into juvenile crabs. In this process, they must overcome many difficulties and complete their migration from seawater<br />
to freshwater. This is not only a physiological change, but also a great test of vitality. The young crabs crawl on the<br />
bottom of the river, forming a magnificent "young crab tide", demonstrating the tenacity of life and the greatness of<br />
nature.<br />
Although the life of the Chinese mitten crab is short, it is of great significance. They are not only delicacies on our<br />
tables, but also an indispensable part of the Yangtze River ecosystem. To protect them is to protect our shared home.<br />
Let us respect life together, abide by the law, and witness the miracle of nature.<br />
From the perspective of Jiangsu fishermen, there is no doubt that the past few years have been lost. Jiangsu fishing has<br />
been completely banned, and there seems to be no possibility of recovery now.<br />
Among the many provinces in the Yangtze River Basin, Jiangsu’s fishing ban policy is undoubtedly the most<br />
stringent. From the perspective of the Yangtze River provinces, from Qinghai to Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Anhui,<br />
and then to Jiangsu and Shanghai, Jiangsu Province passed the revised "Jiangsu Province Fisheries Management<br />
Regulations" and implemented a comprehensive fishing ban at the local legislative level, extending the scope to<br />
tributaries and lakes. This policy basically bans all fishing activities on the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province, whether<br />
commercial or recreational. Such measures are very harsh for fishermen, but they are crucial to protecting aquatic<br />
biodiversity and restoring fishery resources, and also lay a solid foundation for the improvement of the Yangtze<br />
River's ecological environment.<br />
Fishing enthusiasts may regret the fishing ban policy because they have lost the fun of fishing on the river. But in the<br />
long term, these measures will help ensure the sustainability of fisheries resources, allowing future anglers to enjoy<br />
fishing in a healthier, richer natural environment. We believe that over time, these powerful measures will make the<br />
Yangtze River more vibrant and bring long-term benefits to all those who rely on these resources.