China urges implementation of Yangtze River fishing ban

BEIJING -- China called for solid efforts to implement the fishing ban in the Yangtze River basin, and ensure the livelihoods of affected fishermen after they bid farewell to nets and boats, according to a circular released by the General Office of the State Council.

As the fishing ban in the Yangtze River basin is an important measure to protect the river and improve the ecological environment, local governments and related departments should roll out specific policies and measures to ensure its implementation, the circular said.

Local governments should make targeted plans to relocate fishermen and help them find new jobs, while increasing fiscal funds to ensure subsidies for the affected. They should also carry out special campaigns to crack down on illegal fishing along the river.

China began a 10-year fishing moratorium from the beginning of this year in 332 conservation areas in the Yangtze River basin, which will be expanded to all the natural waterways of the country's longest river, and its major tributaries, from no later than January 1, 2021.

The full-scale ban is likely to affect more than 113,000 fishing boats and nearly 280,000 fishermen in 10 provincial-level regions along the river, according to earlier estimations.