Yangtze River’s Wildlife Making a Splashy Comeback! 🐟🌊
Hey there, young nature lovers! Have you heard about the amazing changes happening in China’s Yangtze River? It’s the longest river in Asia, and it’s been getting a lot healthier lately. Thanks to some big protective measures, the fish and other aquatic creatures are making a fantastic comeback!
What Happened?
A few years ago, China decided to help the Yangtze River by starting a 10-year fishing ban. That means people aren’t allowed to fish in certain parts of the river for a whole decade! This helps the fish populations grow and thrive. 🐠
More Fish Friends! 🎣
From 2021 to 2023, scientists monitored the river and found 344 different native fish species swimming around. That’s 36 more species than they found from 2017 to 2020! Isn’t that cool? More fish means a healthier river ecosystem.
Stopping Illegal Fishing
The authorities have been working hard to stop illegal fishing, too. They’ve caught people who were fishing when they weren’t supposed to, helping keep the river safe for all its inhabitants. This means even more chances for the fish and other animals to flourish.
Protecting Our Water Friends 🌿
Zhang Zhili, the vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said they are going to work even harder to protect important species, restore habitats (that’s like making their homes nicer!), and take care of aquatic organisms. They’re also planning to release more fish into the river and clean up the water. How awesome is that?
A Long-Term Plan
To make sure the Yangtze River stays healthy, China started the fishing ban in 332 conservation areas back in January 2020. Then, on January 1, 2021, they expanded the ban to include the main parts of the river and its big branches. This 10-year plan is all about giving nature time to heal and grow.
Why It Matters
The Yangtze River is home to lots of unique creatures, like the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise. By protecting the river, we’re helping these amazing animals survive and thrive. 🌟
What Can We Learn?
This shows how important it is to take care of our environment. When we give nature a helping hand, incredible things can happen! Maybe you can think of ways to help nature where you live. Every little bit counts!
Reference(s):
China's iconic Yangtze River basin sees improving aquatic biodiversity
cgtn.com
