Campaign to focus on curbing illegal activities during Yellow River fishing ban

From April 1 to July 31 this year, a special law enforcement campaign will be conducted during the fishing ban period in nine provincial level regions along the Yellow River, according to a notice jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security recently.

During the period, relevant departments will crack down on illegal fishing activities, increase law enforcement efforts, innovate law enforcement methods and strengthen compensation measures for any environmental and ecological damage made, the notice said.

It also said that segmented control measures will be implemented for different sections of the river. Fishing will be banned in the river source area and upper reaches all year round, while phased fishing bans will be implemented in the middle and lower reaches.

Strict inspections will be carried out for serious illegal activities such as the use of unregistered fishing vessels and electric shock fishing, the notice added.

Supervision will be strengthened over seafood markets, and law enforcement authorities will work to uncover sources of illegal aquatic products.

In addition, fishing activities will be strictly reviewed to prevent the use of fishing tools and methods that damage aquatic resources and to curb illegal fishing operations under the guise of recreational fishing.

The two ministries said the campaign will promote the implementation of the fishing ban and strengthen the protection of the ecological environment in the Yellow River Basin.