BEIJING – China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has announced a significant extension and expansion of its fishing ban along the Yellow River basin, implementing one of the nation’s most comprehensive aquatic conservation measures through 2030.
The newly issued directive expands protection to three additional primary tributaries, meaning the ban now encompasses the Yellow River’s entire main stream and 13 major tributaries. This represents China’s continued commitment to reversing ecological decline in its second-longest river system.
Beginning January 1, 2026, year-round fishing prohibitions will take effect in the river’s ecologically sensitive source region and upstream critical waters. From the Ningxia section downstream to the estuary, a seasonal moratorium will be enforced annually from April 1 to July 31 – a period covering key spawning seasons.
The policy permits only limited, quota-based fishing in specifically designated areas for certain species. All commercial fishing operations will be strictly prohibited during ban periods within restricted zones.
First implemented in 2018, the fishing ban has demonstrated measurable success in protecting aquatic biodiversity and promoting sustainable fishery development. However, ministry officials noted that the overall declining trend in Yellow River fishery resources has not yet been fundamentally reversed, necessitating continued protective measures.
The ministry will collaborate with nine provincial-level regions along the river’s course to strengthen monitoring and law enforcement efforts, ensuring effective protection of the basin’s fragile aquatic ecosystems.