Tackle Trade World - May 2024

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