In a significant move to protect biodiversity of the Yangtze River, China began a 10-year fishing moratorium first in conservation areas in the basin in 2020 and then will expand to all the natural waterways of the river and its major tributaries from January 1, 2021.

Jiangsu has already taken the national lead in this 10-year campaign, according to the province’s office in charge of the program. A total of 14,887 fishermen have to date relinquished their nets in the conservation areas and major tributaries. They were also joined by another 23,978 fishermen with 12,632 boats giving up fishing in other waterways.

To support the campaign, the Standing Committee of the Jiangsu People’s Congress, the province’s legislature, has amended the fisheries management regulation to incorporate the fishing ban, the first region in China to make the legal move.

Jiangsu is also the first in China to introduce compensation measures. The coastal province has ensured the financial guarantee for the program and taken a coordinated approach in using available funds and subsidies, such as those earmarked for improving the wellbeing of the people. Up to now, 6.021 billion yuan has been put into use to promote the fishing ban, including 1.329 billion yuan from the central government.

All fishermen eligible have been covered by the social security program. Authorities have also introduced measures to help them find land-based jobs or start their own businesses. Some have taken new jobs in the public service.

To protect the Yangtze River, Jiangsu has also strengthened efforts to ban the sale of illegal catches in the basin and clamp down crimes of illegal fishing. The multifaceted measures aim to stop the chain of illegal fishing, transportation and sales.

Since June, the province’s public security, fisheries and market authorities have dealt with 1,846 cases involving 2,157 people, including 830 suspects in 470 criminal cases. Authorities have also filed 170 cases of illegal advertising.