On November 21, 2019, an old man from Jiangjin, Chongqing caught a big fish in the Jiangjin section of the Yangtze River. He suspected it was Chinese sturgeon and quickly reported it to the fishery administration department. The fishery administration department asked experts to identify it and thought it was Chinese sturgeon .
Later, the fish was released back into the Yangtze River under the witness of everyone, and Uncle Li was rewarded for taking the initiative to report it. However, the reporters were self-defeating due to inconsistent coverage, and netizens were left scratching their heads.
- had no intention of catching big fish
On the afternoon of November 21, 2019, 64-year-old Li Jinquan went fishing on the Yangtze River as usual. Normally, he goes out with his younger brother. The two elder brothers both love fishing. They used to prepare a few fishing rods , but now they just fish for fun with the mentality of hoping that the fish will take the bait.
Fisherman Li Jinquan Uncle Li
He was delayed by something that morning. After lunch, he took his fishing gear alone and rode a small electric donkey to Binjiang Road Jiaba Tuo.
He found a fishing spot, slowly put bait on the hook, and threw the fishing rod into the river. He sat on the pony and smoked a cigarette. While smoking, he called his brother. Unexpectedly, his brother was also nearby.
After smoking a cigarette, the fishing rod did not respond at all. Because of the cold weather, he got up and rubbed his hands from time to time. But he was not in a hurry at all, that was just how fishing was.
Just as he was about to sit back on the pony, he saw the fishing rod swing twice, and he thought to himself: There must be a fish hooked, maybe silver carp . So, he pulled the fishing rod upward, and unexpectedly, he felt the fish turn over underneath. Good guy, it’s bigger than Uncle Li imagined.
Uncle Li wanted to lift the fish up, but he couldn't lift it at all, so he tried to reel in the line and pull it closer. But the fish is very strong and keeps jumping. While holding on to the pole, he quickly called his younger brother who was fishing nearby and asked him to come over and help.
At that time, many people were watching the excitement.
Uncle Li’s younger brother came, and he and Uncle Li took turns taking turns. It took half an hour to pull the fish to the shore. The moment the big fish exposed its back, my brother cheered and said it was a Chinese sturgeon, which suddenly attracted many people to watch the fun.
The body of the big fish was completely exposed, and someone cheered: "Ah, it's really a Chinese sturgeon. It's so beautiful. What a big fish." When someone called it, everyone followed and praised it.
- Released as required
Uncle Li was also surprised to see the fish, but before he could be happy, he began to feel uneasy. If it was really a Chinese sturgeon, he would be in trouble.
Uncle Li's brother ignored the cold and took off his shoes and socks and went into the water. He was eager to get the fishhook from the big fish's mouth. He struggled to pick up the big fish from the water, and the big fish twisted its body.
It took a long time to get the fishhook out of the big fish's mouth. Fortunately, they pulled it slowly, and Uncle Li's fishing line also came from the fish, and a little blood came out of the fish's mouth.
The big fish that had taken the hook was placed in the shallow water on the shore by Uncle Li's brother. Someone in the crowd got a steel tape measure and handed it to Uncle Li's brother for him to measure. Uncle Li's brother took some measurements in the water and found that the length was about 2.18 meters and the chest circumference was 75 centimeters. In fact, these were not very accurate.
As for the weight, for fear of harming the fish, I didn’t take the fish out of the water to weigh it. It was only based on the feel of Uncle Li’s brother holding it, and it was estimated to be around 120 kilograms.
Measurement length and chest circumference
How to deal with such a large Chinese sturgeon. Uncle Li wanted to call the police station and fishery department to explain the situation quickly to avoid being held accountable. Two young people helped find the phone number of Jiangjin Fishery Administration and Fish Supervision Ship Inspection Station on the Internet.
called, and Li Rong, the director of the Jiangjin Fishery Administration and Fish Supervision Ship Inspection Station, came with his people. When Stationmaster Li saw the fish, he was not sure whether it was a Chinese sturgeon. So, he quickly took photos and videos of the fish, and showed them to Southwest University fish expert Yao Weizhi for identification.
Teacher Yao explained that this fish is the Daphne catfish, which is a rare fish in Heilongjiang and should be released.
After hearing this, the fishery law enforcement officers immediately carefully inspected the fish and found that it was fine, and immediately released it back into the Yangtze River.At the same time, they gave Uncle Li a cash reward for his behavior.
- Release caused controversy
The next day, the news that a man from Chongqing caught and released a Yangtze River sturgeon spread throughout the Internet, and was published or forwarded by upstream.com, China Youth Network, Beijing News and other media.
Later on the same day, Jiangjin local TV station reported on the incident. The person involved, Uncle Li, and the webmaster of the fishery department were interviewed. Webmaster Li said that what Uncle Li caught was a Daphne catfish.
Faced with different statements from different media, everyone initially thought that the Daphne catfish and the Yangtze River sturgeon were the same fish. However, some attentive netizens discovered that the Daphne catfish and the Yangtze River sturgeon are different fish. So, which media outlet is correct? For a moment, everyone was a little dizzy.
Looking at the formality and influence of the media, the media that reported Yangtze River Sturgeon are significantly more influential, such as Upstream News and the Beijing News. The report that it was Daphne's catfish came from Jiangjin , a small local TV station. However, the small TV station reported on the spot and had the person involved interviewed, which was obviously more convincing.
In addition to questioning the name of the big fish, some netizens and professionals later raised new doubts. If the big fish is really the big fish, it should not be released into the Yangtze River. Zhou Tao, captain of the Yibin Yangtze River Sturgeon Assistance Patrol Team (head of the Yibin Work Station of the Anti-Electric Fish Collaboration Center), said:
The sturgeon is not the original sturgeon of the Yangtze River and is an alien species. If alien species are released into the Yangtze River, they are likely to hybridize with native sturgeons in the Yangtze River, leading to genetic contamination of native sturgeons.
Zhu Kai, director of the Anti-Electric Fish Collaboration Center, believes:
The hasty identification and release of the fish are wrong. The release of the fish sturgeon into the Yangtze River will have an impact on the ecology of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. It will compete with the Yangtze River sturgeon and the Chinese sturgeon for ecological niches, which will have a negative impact on the already severe protection of the Yangtze river sturgeon and the Chinese sturgeon.
What exactly is this fish?
Professor Yao Weizhi of Southwest University, Zhou Tao, captain of the Yibin Yangtze River Sturgeon Assistance Patrol, and Zhu Kai, director of the Anti-Electric Fish Collaboration Center, all believe that the big fish caught and released by Uncle Li is the Daphne catfish.
There is no doubt that this fish is not the Chinese sturgeon that Uncle Li and others thought at first, nor is it the Yangtze River sturgeon reported by some media.
Daphne's sturgeon, Yangtze sturgeon, and Chinese sturgeon are different fish. Because they look very similar, it is indeed difficult to identify them. In particular, the Dachshund's catfish and the Yangtze River sturgeon look very similar. And their names are also similar. The Yangtze River sturgeon was previously called Acipenser dabricus.
The picture below is the sturgeon stamp issued in 1994. When everyone compares and observes, it is not difficult to find that the sturgeon and the sturgeon look almost exactly the same.
The appearance of the Yangtze River sturgeon (Acipenser dataceae) and the Acipenser dataceae
Chinese sturgeon are more recognizable. In comparison, the Chinese sturgeon is more beautiful, and its rounded and smooth lines look gentle and charming.
Chinese sturgeon
Compared with the Chinese sturgeon, the Yangtze River sturgeon and the Chinese sturgeon are much tougher and more ferocious. Both have pointed noses and tentacles between the noses and mouths. The mouth is pointed downward, on the abdomen.
However, if you look carefully, you will find that the mouth of the sturgeon is smaller, while the mouth of the sturgeon is larger.
What is the controversial point?
- Can fishing be done in the Yangtze River?
Fishing has always been possible in the Yangtze River, but the area, time and fishing method must be distinguished.
Before 2020, the Yangtze River was closed to fishing for several months every year. During the more than 10 years from 2002 to 2015, the annual fishing ban was from April 1 to June 30, lasting for three months; from 2016 to 2019, the annual fishing ban was one month earlier, starting from March 1, and lasting for four months.
In 2020, the Yangtze River 10-year fishing ban plan began to be distributed and implemented. First, the productive fishing of natural fishery resources was banned in stages by classifying key water areas. In 2021, fishing will also be banned in natural waters outside the aquatic life nature reserves and aquatic germplasm resource reserves in the Yangtze River mainstream and important tributaries.
On February 26, 2018, the Nanjing Municipal Fishery Administration and Fishing Port Supervision and Management Office issued an announcement on the ban on fishing in the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River.
The fishing ban here actually mainly bans productive fishing.Regarding recreational fishing, the 2019 Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs "Notice on the Scope and Time of Prohibited Fishing in Key Waters of the Yangtze River Basin" stipulates:
Fishing is prohibited in aquatic life reserves. Fishing is prohibited in prohibited areas except aquatic life reserves from March 1st to June 30th every year.
In areas and times where fishing is allowed, it is strictly prohibited to use fishing tackle, fishing methods and various fish detection equipment and auxiliary devices that seriously damage aquatic biological resources; it is prohibited to use boats, rafts and other floating objects on the water for fishing; it is prohibited to use bait, nest materials and additives containing toxic and harmful substances and live aquatic life bait such as fish and shrimp, and the use of artificial bait or bionic bait is encouraged.
It is strictly prohibited to use multi-line multi-hook, long-line multi-hook, single-line multi-hook and other fishing gear methods that cause great damage to aquatic biological resources. In principle, only one person, one rod, one line, and one hook (single hook) fishing gear and fishing method are allowed.
Fishing is strictly prohibited and the focus is on protecting aquatic wildlife. Any caught by mistake should be returned to the original water body in a timely manner. The sale and purchase of catches is strictly prohibited, and any trading behavior will be regarded as illegal fishing.
Many people are afraid to go fishing again after hearing the "ten-year ban on fishing". This makes sense, because the requirements are many and very detailed, and you may step on the wrong foot if you are not careful.
Yangtze River Fishery Law Enforcement Boat
However, it cannot be generally said that fishing is completely prohibited. For example, when Uncle Li caught this Daphne catfish, many people found it incredible. How can fishing be allowed in the Yangtze River where fishing is prohibited?
Now it is relatively simple to answer this question. Uncle Li caught the fish in November 2019, not during the fishing ban period from March to June, so there was no problem with the timing. Judging from the fishing rods and baits he equipped, they all meet the requirements. Judging from the series of actions he took after he suspected that he caught a protected animal, it was reasonable, legal and compliant.
In short, except for aquatic life reserves, you can still fish in the Yangtze River from March to June every year. As long as you don’t use live bait or poisonous bait, and you have one person, one pole, one line and one hook. Of course, you must also note that the fish you catch cannot be sold. If you catch nationally protected animals , you must report it to the fishery department in time.
- Can the Yangtze River sturgeon, Daphne sturgeon and Chinese sturgeon be fished?
certainly can't. They are all national first-level protected animals .
Yangtze River Acipenser (Acipenser dabricus)
Yangtze River Acipenser is a freshwater resident fish that mostly lives in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. was listed as a national first-level protected animal in 1988. The Yangtze River sturgeon is now extinct in the wild. In July 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources declared the Yangtze River sturgeon extinct in the wild.
What is and is extinct in the wild?
Being extinct in the wild means that they can no longer reproduce on their own. The only remaining Yangtze River sturgeons in the Yangtze River are basically produced through artificial breeding and release.
In fact, the Yangtze River sturgeon has been getting younger since the 1970s. Since 2000, the Yangtze River sturgeon has not been found to reproduce naturally in the Yangtze River.
In April 2022, a released Chinese sturgeon slid down the Yangtze River from the release channel
Chinese sturgeon is a migratory fish that lives in the Yangtze River and grows in the sea. They are the same age as dinosaurs and are ancient fish unique to my country. The lifespan of an individual Chinese sturgeon can reach 40 years. Like the Yangtze River sturgeon, they were listed as national first-level protected animals in 1988.
Since 2017, the natural reproduction of Chinese sturgeons in the wild has been interrupted for five consecutive years, and the natural population of Chinese sturgeons is also on the verge of extinction. It turns out that since 1981, more than 8 million Chinese sturgeons have been artificially released, but the natural reproduction of the wild population has still not been restored. What about
and ? They are also the same generation as the dinosaurs, but they were born in Heilongjiang and never swim to the sea. Their lifespan is longer than that of the Chinese sturgeon. Their average lifespan is 50 years old, and they can live up to hundreds of years.
Daphne's catfish was included in the "China Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan" in 1994 and included in the catalog of secondary protected animals. In 2004, it was listed as an endangered species in the " Chinese Species Red List ". In 2021, it was upgraded to a national first-level aquatic wild protected animal.
Daphne's catfish
- I caught a wild protected animal by mistake or should I release it? How should I release it?
What should you do if you accidentally catch Yangtze River sturgeon, Chinese sturgeon, Daphne sturgeon and other key protected aquatic wild animals?
If you accidentally catch a protected aquatic wild animal, you should, like Uncle Li, immediately report it to the local police station or fishery department, and release it or perform other treatments under the guidance of experts.
Although there is controversy over whether the Daphne catfish caught by Uncle Li by mistake should be released into the Yangtze River, Uncle Li did the right thing.
As a fisherman, if you catch a wild fish that is suspected of being protected, you should not release it immediately, but you should report it to the relevant department. As for how to deal with it, it is up to the fishery and aquatic products departments to have the final say.
Like Heilongjiang, because productive fishing is not completely prohibited, fishermen sometimes accidentally catch Daphne catfish in the river. In 2018 Jiamusi , a fisherman caught a thousand-jin catfish, which was purchased by the aquatic products department for 220,000 yuan for breeding research. However, in 2021, after the Dashi's catfish was listed as a national first-level protected animal, the accidentally caught Dashi's catfish were basically released under the guidance of the fishery department.
If you accidentally fish or accidentally catch a nationally protected animal and fail to report it or release it, you will be prosecuted by law after being reported.
For example, in 2021, a man surnamed Zhang from Banan District, Chongqing caught a Yangtze River sturgeon from the Yangtze River at Shuibazi Wharf on Babin Road, and took it home privately to raise. After being reported, he was punished and paid an ecological restoration fund of 10,000 yuan. He was sentenced to one year in prison and suspended for two years.
Zhang was tried
- Why did Heilongjiang's Daphne catfish run to the Yangtze River?
Experts agree that the big fish caught by Uncle Li was Daphne catfish, but how did the fish from Heilongjiang end up in the Yangtze River? There are two types of opinions on the issue of
. One group believes that although Heilongjiang and its tributaries are the main habitat of Daphne catfish, there are also small amounts in other rivers. One group believes that Daphne's catfish only exists in Heilongjiang and is a unique economic fish in Heilongjiang. Mostly in the middle reaches of Heilongjiang.
Let’s not investigate which of the two statements is more accurate. But one thing is clear, that is, Daphne's catfish has been found in the Yangtze River more than once in recent years. After Uncle Li's fish, Daphne's catfish was also discovered in Jiangsu Province at two sites in the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River in 2020.
One thing that is certain is that Heilongjiang has been relatively successful in breeding the sturgeon, and there are more hybrids between sturgeons and sturgeons. Searching for the term "Da's catfish" in CNKI , there are 198 related discussions. There is a high possibility that the Da's catfish in the Yangtze River is the influx of farmed Da's catfish.
When the Geheyan Hydropower Station dam on the Qingjiang River released water in July 2016, fishermen's breeding cages in Yichang, Yidu City and other areas were hit by floods. About 9,800 tons of exotic carnivorous sturgeons died or flowed into the Yangtze River, including sturgeon sturgeons and some hybrid sturgeons.
Anchovy fry bred and cultured by the aquatic products department
- accidentally caught wild protected animals. Why should I get rewarded if I report it myself?
Since they are precious wild protected animals, shouldn’t they be released unconditionally if they are accidentally fished or accidentally caught? Why should we reward Uncle Li?
This has to mention the hard work and efforts our country has put into these key aquatic protected animals.
Zhou Qing, deputy director of the Jingzhou Chinese Sturgeon Conservation Center, once said that the cost of artificially maintaining Chinese sturgeons is quite high. The annual maintenance cost of a Chinese sturgeon is between 12,000 and 15,000 yuan.
The same goes for the Yangtze River sturgeon, whose overall value is about 250,000 yuan per fish.
Nowadays, most of the Chinese sturgeons and Yangtze River sturgeons in the Yangtze River are released artificially. Every tail is very precious. One can imagine how much loss it will be if one is accidentally caught and taken as one's own or injured or killed.
Punishing after making a mistake obviously does not help. Rather than letting fishermen make mistakes and be punished later, it is better to provide a reward mechanism in advance.
On December 21, 2021, the Chongqing Municipal Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee’s website announced the “Notice on the reward reporting system for illegal activities related to the “ten-year fishing ban” in the Chongqing section of the Yangtze River Basin, and began to establish a reward reporting system for fish-related illegal activities.
Screenshot of the notice
Those who report relevant illegal activities and provide useful reporting information will be rewarded 200-1,000 yuan. The maximum reward of 20,000 yuan can be obtained.
In short,
whether it is a fishing ban from March to June or a 10-year fishing ban, it is all to protect the fishery resources of the Yangtze River. Protecting these rare species is not just a matter for the fisheries and aquatic research department.
Only the research and efforts of the aquatic products department cannot solve the problem at all. They are constantly researching and trying their best to protect, but if more people continue to fish, their protection will become very weak. This is how white sturgeon became extinct.
Therefore, every fisherman should abide by the rules and if he catches rare species by mistake, he must contact the nearest fishery department and professionals to identify and rescue them in time. Regardless of whether there are rewards for reporting or not, we ordinary people should also have this awareness of protection.
Under the general environment of universal protection, we hope that the Yangtze River sturgeon can be removed from extinction in the wild, and that the natural populations of Daphne's sturgeon and Chinese sturgeon can be restored as soon as possible.
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