A Large River-blocking Net Damages the River Ecology | During the Fishing Ban Period, CBCGDF Volunteers and the Local Law Enforcement Departments Take Joint Actions Against Illegal Fishing | CBCGDF BCON

On July 19, 2024, volunteers from the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) Fujin Wetland Conservation Area and Suibin County Fishery Administration Brigade launched an important joint protection operation in the Suibin area of Songhua River.

That morning, the joint action team cleared more than 20 ground cage nets and a 50-meter-long river-blocking net, and also found and handed over a fishing boat suspected of illegal fishing. Law enforcement officers destroyed the confiscated illegal fishing gear on the spot.

 

The Songhua River Basin is still in a fishing ban period (from 12:00 on May 16 to 12:00 on July 31). During this period, all operations except fishing gear are prohibited to protect fishery resources and fish spawning and reproduction. During the fishing ban period, all fishing vessels and fishing gear must be withdrawn from the operating site, and centralized management or ship-engine separation measures must be implemented to ensure the effective implementation of the fishing ban period. In addition, during the fishing ban period, combined with the actual situation of natural fishing waters, artificial reproduction and release, seedlings, etc. will be actively organized to improve the natural breeding capacity of fish and promote the healthy development of fisheries.

In addition to causing the most direct damage to wild fish resources, illegal fishing often accidentally catches or harms non-target species. For example, some wild ducks or water birds will be trapped in the ground cage net, and some other aquatic organisms will also be intercepted by the river-blocking net and cannot escape. Large-scale fishing nets not only restrict the normal survival and reproduction of aquatic organisms, but also have a serious impact on the ecological balance. Moreover, these illegal nets will not only become "invisible killers" that affect aquatic organisms and even human safety, but also cause environmental pollution if they remain in the water for a long time.

CBCGDF volunteers released all the fish rescued in this operation, including loach, carp, garfish, crucian carp, etc., back into the river. Although these species are inconspicuous and even very small, they play an important role in the ecosystem of the Songhua River and play a key role in maintaining the biodiversity of the basin and maintaining the regional ecological balance. They are also an important part of green waters and green mountains!

Reporter:Daisy

Checked by Sara

Editor: Daisy

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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