In Chongming, the mouth of the Yangtze River, there is a group of people responsible for a small but important part of this large project - fishing management. July 4th, sunny to cloudy, southeasterly wind of level 4-5 in the Yangtze River waters.

The Yangtze River Protection is a systematic project. In Chongming , the estuary of the Yangtze River, there is a group of people responsible for a small but important part of this large project - fishing management.

Protecting the "treasures" in the Yangtze River

htmlOn July 4, it was sunny to cloudy, with southeasterly winds of level 4-5 in the Yangtze River waters. At 9 a.m., China Fishery Administration Vessel 31108 set off from Pier 1 of Chongming Nanmen Port and headed southeast along the coastline, cruising against the wind.

With dark skin and a tall body, like a rock, the old captain Zhao Jianyue stood and steadily steered the ship. "The weather is good today, but the wind was stronger yesterday." He always looked at the water level of the Yangtze River. Until we returned to Hong Kong two hours later, the reporter never saw the old captain sitting down.

Young Liu Jinsheng is another "helmsman" on the ship. As the first-level administrative law enforcement officer of the District Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee Law Enforcement Brigade, he is responsible for China Fishery Administration 31108 vessel law enforcement, cracking down on illegal fishing and merchant ships carrying prohibited fishing gear .

Since February 1 this year, this district has implemented a strict fishing management system, which will divide the waters of the Yangtze River under its jurisdiction into no-fishing areas and non-no-fishing areas. The no-fishing area includes the Yangtze River Daphne national-level aquatic germplasm resource protection core area and the Yangtze River Estuary Chinese Sturgeon Nature Reserve. The remaining areas can be used for fishing activities for leisure and entertainment purposes.

The core area of ​​the Yangtze River Swordfish National Aquatic Germplasm Resource Reserve in Shanghai is the prohibited fishing waters of the Yangtze River west of Zhangwang Port (inclusive) and Beibao Port (inclusive) of Chongming Island; the Chinese Sturgeon Nature Reserve in the Yangtze River Estuary in Shanghai is Chongming Island. The fishing-free waters of the Yangtze River are east of Shanghai Yangtze River Bridge and east of North Bali Port (inclusive).

"Our inspections are to protect the 'treasures' in the Yangtze River." Liu Jinsheng said. For example, Chinese sturgeon is a first-level protected wild animal in my country and a living fossil. It is known as the "giant panda in the water".

In recent years, Chongming has focused on rectifying "three noes" ships and has achieved great results in combating illegal fishing. "Nowadays, there have been no cases of illegal fishing using boats and boats. There are some illegal fishing behaviors. This is what we focus on during inspections." Liu Jinsheng said. At present, the law enforcement brigade under the District Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee has a total of 9 law enforcement boats, carrying out "5+2" regular aerial inspection and duty, all holidays.

Many of the crew had earlier been engaged in fishing. Since the implementation of the ban on fishing and the withdrawal of fishing, these old crew members who have "come ashore" have joined the fishery management team, "entered the water" again, and regained their second youth. They have experience and affection for fisheries.

Riverside fishing depends on many factors such as tides, wind and waves, temperature, etc. When is the best time of year, month, and day for fishing? The veteran crew members are quite knowledgeable and can also help with fishing law enforcement. ‍

It is legal and compliant to fish

About 3 nautical miles out of the port, but before leaving the prohibited fishing area, Liu Jinsheng’s eyes suddenly focused on the shoreline. "Someone is suspected of fishing over there?" After confirming with a telescope, he immediately ordered the spare boat on the ship to be sent to check.

"Hold the fishing rod, hurry!" Taking three steps and two steps at a time, the law enforcement officers stepped onto the boat and sailed towards the "suspect". The big ship seemed stable. When we got on the speedboat, the reporter suddenly felt the wind and waves and couldn't help but grab the railing at hand.

The man was alert. When he saw the law enforcement boat, he immediately picked up the fishing rod and ran to the shore. By the time the boat reached the shore, he had disappeared among the reeds. "This happens from time to time. Some people just break the fishing rod and throw it into the water to deny their violation." In Liu Jinsheng's view, publicity and guidance are also very important. "When a new policy system begins to be implemented, the public needs a process of knowing, agreeing and complying with it. When encountering a similar situation, we will publicize and inform it for the first time, give a warning or corresponding administrative penalty for the second time, and give a warning or corresponding administrative penalty for the third time based on specific circumstances. Severe punishment will be imposed if the circumstances are serious.

“It is definitely not enough to rely on boat patrols alone, we need to take a two-pronged approach on the water and on the shore. Liu Jinsheng said. On weekdays, the law enforcement brigade cooperates with the public security and market supervision departments to supervise the entire process of fishing gear, fishing, sales, and consumption, and uses the advantages of drone aerial inspections to achieve timely discovery, rapid response, and crack down on small businesses. Fight early.

Continue sailing eastward, passing through the waters of Zhangwang Port, and the coastline to the west of G40 Shanghai Yangtze River Bridge is the fishing area, which is limited to "one rod per person, one hook per line". Fishing violations include the use of string hooks, explosive hooks, and "one person with multiple rods, multiple lines with multiple hooks, long lines with multiple hooks, single line with multiple hooks" and other fishing gear and fishing methods that seriously damage aquatic life resources. "Nature is not that fragile. Normal fishing will not affect fishery resources as long as it is legal and compliant." Liu Jinsheng said.

With the river breeze blowing, fishing on the Chongming coastline is indeed a pleasure. Standing in the front section of dike dam (a protruding building on the embankment, one end is connected to the embankment to form a T-shape), fishermen have a wide view and the scenery is unique here. "Look, there are four sets of Shanghai buildings - Shanghai Tower , Shanghai World Financial Center , Jin Mao Tower and the Oriental Pearl Tower." When visibility is good, you can see the scenery of the city. The cameraman on the side pointed to the other side and couldn't help but take a few more shots.

Along the way, there were many anglers on the shore. The temperature was high and the sun was strong that day. Even though he was wearing sun protection clothing , sunglasses, and a tight package, he could not stop the enthusiasm of the anglers.

"Fishermen ahead, please pay attention. This is the Chongming Fishery Administration. Please lift your fishing rods (check the number of hooks)." Through the loudspeaker, Liu Jinsheng called to the fishermen on the shore to conduct routine inspections. The anglers raised their fishing rods and waved to the law enforcement boat. "Fishing must be regulated!" Liu Jinsheng did not forget to remind him when he left. ‍

Doing “little things” in ten years

The fishing management system was just implemented this year and caught up with the epidemic. Some time ago, law enforcement officers and crew members lived on the ship for nearly two months. On the deck behind the driving level, you can also see the green onions they planted. "I also planted peppers, but it didn't work. Now I'm fine, everything has recovered." Liu Jinsheng said with a smile.

"Guarding the Yangtze River is our daily work." We unswervingly place the restoration of the ecological environment of the Yangtze River in an overwhelming position. As a graduate student majoring in fisheries at Shanghai Ocean University, Liu Jinsheng has a deeper understanding of this job. "The Yangtze River is an entire ecosystem, not just protecting fish. Large fish such as Chinese sturgeon and finless porpoise are already at the top of the food chain. Below it, there are also small fish, shrimps, aquatic plants, and plankton. etc. If the overall environment of the Yangtze River is protected, the fish resources of the Yangtze River will naturally become better and better.”

Another example is the Yangtze River bream, which is a migratory fish. Every spring, mature individuals enter the river in groups and move up the river. As reproductive migration , it is widely distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, from the Yangtze River estuary to the Dongting Lake area, including all rivers and lakes. Some of them can enter the Qiantang River in early spring, and are mainly distributed in the offshore waters. "As the estuary of the Yangtze River, Chongming's geographical location is of vital importance. Its western upstream area is the breeding ground of the Yangtze River bream." Liu Jinsheng said, "Choose this place as a place to breed offspring, which shows the good ecology of Chongming."

10 years The fishing ban has just started. "The longest lifespan of the Yangtze River bream is only 6 years old, and the breeding period is at least two years, and most often three years. In ten years, it can raise three generations of bream. This is a time limit, and we will naturally see the results based on the recovery of resources by then. "Liu Jinsheng looked at the river and said: "Our fishing management seems to be a small task, but doing small things well is equally important. It declares the determination to ban fishing for ten years. "

The inspection in the morning is about to end. "Go ashore in the afternoon to do the nucleic acid test and , and then continue law enforcement operations." In the kitchen of the bottom cabin, lunch is already being cooked, and the main course is a 3-pound braised silver carp. An aquaculture popular science documentary happened to be playing on the TV in the restaurant, and the clear water in the river was in the eyes of the crew.

turned the ship around, but the wind and waves remained the same. China Fishery Administration vessel 31108 cut through the waves and returned to port with favorable winds. ‍

Reporter: Shi Haohao

Photography: Zhu Yuwei

Editor: Guo Wang Yizhe