Qiu Guoxiang said he feels proud to participate in the 2022 scientific survey of Yangtze finless porpoises despite hardships of working on the research vessel each day for 8 days.

Qiu, 59, served as captain of China Fishery Administration No. 031 vessel in the mission that ended on September 26.

Four years ago, he was still a fisherman in Gaogang District of Taizhou City. Qiu's family lived on fishing for generations, and he started the job at 17.

"There were a lot of fish in the Yangtze River some 40 years ago, and we caught more than 50 kilograms of fish a day. I once got a fish of 40 kilograms,” said Qiu.

With the decline of fish stocks in the river, this traditional way of living became unstable and dangerous too. Qiu said fishermen were generally not well educated and had no other skills so they competed hard to catch the limited fish, which increased the safety risks especially to elderly people.

(Photo/Ding Weiwen)

After the 10 years' ban on fishing in the Yangtze River became effective, Qiu gave up fishing and worked as captain of the No. 031 vessel to promote law enforcement.

Qiu said now he can earn about 60,000 yuan a year, which is now quite stable.

He felt happy to spot Yangtze finless porpoises in the research. "The first day I saw a few between Nanjing's two bridges, a dozen in the city, seven or eight in Nantong, and about ten in Zhenjiang.”

Qiu said he hopes the fish population can recover with the improvement of environment.