China establishes alliance for aquatic life protection in Yangtze River

WUHAN - China has established a technological innovation alliance for aquatic life protection and ecological rehabilitation in the Yangtze River, according to the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS).

Based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, the alliance is co-founded by the CAFS, the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University as well as other research institutions and units.

It will focus on the basic research, technology transformation and development strategy related to aquatic biological protection and ecological restoration in the Yangtze River.

According to Wang Xiaohu, president of the CAFS, the Yangtze River Basin is an important area for high-quality aquatic products, however, it is also influenced by human activities including dam building, water pollution and overfishing, which pose threats to the biodiversity and ecology restoration.

The alliance will improve the long-term monitoring network of aquatic resources in the Yangtze River and initiate projects for restoration and artificial breeding of endangered aquatic species, Wang said.