China solves 100 major illegal fishing cases along Yangtze River

BEIJING - The first batch of 100 major cases of illegal fishing have been solved under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) amid a campaign to crack down on such practice in the Yangtze River basin.

Chinese police along the river have dealt with over 2,900 criminal cases of illegal fishing and seized more than 4,350 suspects since the campaign started on June 29, the MPS said Wednesday.

The crackdown has also seen the seizure of about 20,000 units of fishing gear and 70,000 kg of catches, the MPS added.

In addition, the MPS and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs have launched a joint 10-day inspection, aiming to secure concrete results for the three-year campaign to fight against illegal fishing.

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 Jan 1, 2021.