Fishing banned in Ertix River to restore habitat, guard water

Chinese authorities have banned fishing in the Ertix River, the only river originating in China that flows north into the Arctic Ocean.

According to the fishery management center in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region's Altay prefecture, fishing will be banned year-round in all natural rivers in the Altay region, including the Ertix.

"We are enforcing the ban to restore fishery resources, protect the natural habitat, restore aquatic diversity and protect the water sources of cities," said Ershanjam Mamat, head of the center's law enforcement division.