The Yangtze River has been closed to fishing for three years to protect endangered fish stocks, but now giant eels up to 2 meters long have begun to run rampant in the waters of the Yangtze River, preying on other fish in groups!
Did anyone foresee this problem back then? Will such a change undermine the results of the fishing ban that have been achieved so far? In the face of this situation, should we humans act as a counterbalance?
Why was the 10-year ban on fishing on the Yangtze River promulgated?
The Yangtze River, as the longest river in China, has carried the rise and fall of countless civilizations since ancient times. In recent years, with the continuous expansion of human activities and the acceleration of industrialization, the ecological environment of the Yangtze River has suffered serious damage.
Over the past few decades, the catch of the Yangtze River's fishery resources has declined dramatically. According to statistics, in the 80s of the 20th century, the annual catch of the Yangtze River used to reach millions of tons, but by the beginning of the 21st century, it has plummeted to hundreds of thousands of tons, or even less.
The abundance of the Yangtze River's main economic fishes, such as carp, silver carp, crucian carp and silver carp, has declined sharply. These fish are the backbone of the Yangtze River fishing industry, and their declining numbers have a direct impact on the livelihoods of local fishermen. In addition to economic fish, there are many rare and endangered aquatic creatures, such as the Yangtze finless porpoise and white sturgeon, whose numbers are also declining catastrophically.
Yangtze finless porpoise
Long-term overfishing and environmental pollution have led to an imbalance in the Yangtze River ecosystem. The number of aquatic plants is decreasing, the water quality is deteriorating, the fish habitat is damaged, and the ecological chain is broken, which makes the ecological environment of the Yangtze River face serious threats.
In order to protect the ecological environment of the Yangtze River, the mainland government implemented a decade-long ban on fishing. However, the implementation of the fishing ban took an unexpected turn in the third year, when a school of giant eel up to 2 meters long swam like a dominant force in the waters of the Yangtze River. They are large in size and muscular, and they display a strong and majestic imposing imposing.
At this time, a school of grass carp also swam past the bottom of the water, and they were playing carefree, but they were quickly surrounded by a school of majestic eels and chased to the shallows. The giant eel opened their mouths and swallowed the grass carp one by one, and the occasional grass carp that escaped death was also covered with tooth marks, and the water was instantly chaotic. The whole scene is full of life-and-death contests and cruel realities, which directly confirms the law of the jungle in nature.
Grass carp
Witnessing the sight of the eel roaming in the waters of the Yangtze River, many people began to feel worried. They can't help but wonder if this phenomenon is contrary to the original intention of the 10-year fishing ban.
People have also raised questions about this situation, worrying about whether the fishing ban policy can really protect the ecology of the Yangtze River.
Question 1: Did you foresee what we are doing today three years ago?
Many people may be surprised and confused when, three years after the Yangtze River has been closed to fishing, some giant eel begin to prey on other small fish in the waters. After all, who would have thought that a group of underwater "overlords" would be raised when the fishing ban was formulated? But in fact, this situation is not a harbinger of ecological catastrophe, but more like a magnificent performance of the natural biological chain.
Imagine the ecosystem of the Yangtze River as a giant stage where a variety of characters gather, from swift and fierce eagle fish, to small fish as dexterous as elves, and countless microorganisms hiding behind the scenes. Each character has its own tasks and responsibilities, and they are interdependent and check and balance each other on this ecological stage.
As the "third longest river in the world" and "the longest river in Asia", the Yangtze River is 6,363 kilometers long and has a basin area of about 1.8 million square kilometers.
Under long-term human activities and interventions, ecosystems may be irreversibly damaged, leading to a sharp decline or even extinction of some species. When the ban was implemented, some fish that were previously restricted in abundance were given a chance to recover and reproduce. Therefore, the increase in eel populations is not an accident, but part of the natural restoration of the ecosystem.
The eel itself is a large economic species
Secondly, as a large carnivorous fish, the eel naturally feeds on other fish. Their increased numbers have led to changes in the upper levels of the food chain, which may have subjected some fish that were originally lower in the food chain to predation pressure.
Fish, the "overlord" of freshwater
However, this predatory relationship does not imply the collapse of the ecosystem, but is part of the dynamic equilibrium within the biological chain. Even if the number of eel soars, it will be controlled and competitive by natural predators to a certain extent, and eventually reach a relatively stable state.
Fish
Like a great show on stage, this change in the biological chain does not throw the entire ecosystem into chaos. Instead, they simply play their part in this eco-dance, pushing the story forward on stage. The predation of the eel on other fish is only one link in the ecological arena, and the ecosystem itself has the ability to self-regulate, to cope with this change, and eventually to return to a state of equilibrium.
Will the current situation undermine the gains of the three-year fishing ban?
Since 2020, driven by the Yangtze River fishing ban policy, the fishery resources in the Yangtze River basin have been effectively protected and restored, not only the variety of fish has increased, but the number of finless porpoises has also undergone positive changes.
In 2022, 193 species of fish were monitored in key waters of the Yangtze River basin, an increase of 25 species from 2020, confirming that the biodiversity of the Yangtze River waters has been significantly enhanced. At the same time, the population of the Yangtze finless porpoise reached 1,249 in 2022, the first rebound since 2006, marking a historic progress in the conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise.
The finless porpoise is a barometer of the vitality of the Yangtze River
In addition, the government has also formulated a "heart-warming action" implementation plan for employment assistance for retired fishermen, which continues to consolidate the results of the resettlement guarantee for retired fishermen and provides strong support for the implementation of the Yangtze River fishing ban policy.
The government has a guarantee to help fishermen retire from fishing with peace of mind and "go ashore" to welcome a new life
Up to now, the "three-year strong foundation" of the Yangtze River fishing ban has entered the final stage, and the waters of the Yangtze River have presented an ecological picture of shallow bottom for fish and people to protect the clear stream. These data and results show that the Yangtze River fishing ban policy has achieved remarkable results in protecting fishery resources and maintaining ecological balance, and has laid a solid foundation for the improvement of the ecological environment and long-term sustainable development of the Yangtze River.
"Three-year strong foundation" handed over a satisfactory transcript
Although the emergence of eel may change the structure of the food chain in the ecosystem to some extent, it does not mean that the fishing ban policy has failed. On the contrary, as a link in the Yangtze River ecosystem, the appearance of the eel reflects the vitality and self-regulation ability of the ecosystem.
The Yangtze River ecosystem is a complex and stable ecological balance system, which is able to cope with a certain degree of change and achieve self-regulation through internal mechanisms to maintain the overall balance.
Second, the results of the fishing ban are not only reflected in the increase in fish populations, but also in the health and stability of ecosystems. The implementation of the Yangtze River fishing ban has effectively reduced illegal fishing, restored diversity in the ecosystem, and allowed some rare fish species to flourish again. The appearance of the squid is only a part of the change in the ecosystem, and does not represent the collapse or failure of the entire ecosystem.
We must believe that the implementation of the Yangtze River fishing ban policy requires long-term perseverance and unremitting efforts. Even if there are some unexpected changes, we should remain confident, take a long-term view, believe that ecosystems have the ability to self-regulate, and on this basis, we should continue to optimize and adjust policy measures to adapt to the changes and development of ecosystems.
The merit is in the contemporary, and the benefit is in the future
Should humans come to the rescue of small fish that are preyed on by erays?
We must recognize that ecosystems in nature have a certain capacity for self-regulation. Although the appearance of eel will have a certain impact on the ecosystem of the Yangtze River, this is only temporary, and does not mean that we must intervene immediately and take measures. After a long period of evolution, the ecosystem in nature has formed a complex interaction and equilibrium mechanism, which can make corresponding adjustments to external changes and maintain overall stability.
Sometimes, human intervention does not always have the desired effect and may even have unintended consequences. In considering whether to intervene, it is important to have a deep understanding of the complexity and fragility of the Yangtze ecosystem, as well as the potential long-term impacts of intervention. Blind intervention can disrupt the original ecological balance and lead to more serious problems.
We must believe in the vitality of Asia's longest river
Of course, humans also have a responsibility to protect and maintain the health and balance of ecosystems. If the population of eel is seriously out of control, it may have an impact on the ecological environment and fishery resources of the Yangtze River, and proper management and regulation are necessary. However, management measures should be based on scientific research and comprehensive assessments, rather than speculation or blind following.
Therefore, we should take appropriate action after in-depth understanding of the situation and full assessment. This requires relevant state departments to strengthen monitoring and research, promote the implementation of ecological protection and restoration projects, and formulate scientific and rational management policies.
Taking into account various factors, we should be cautious and rational with the principle of maximum respect for nature, so as to better cope with the emergence of eel and other challenges in the Yangtze River ecosystem.
Fish
In the three years since the implementation of the fishing ban policy in the Yangtze River, remarkable results have been achieved, the ecological environment has been effectively protected and restored, and fishery resources have been regenerated. Despite the emergence of new phenomena such as giant eels, this is a normal phenomenon in the regulation of the biological chain and there is no need to be overly concerned.
The ecosystem of the Yangtze River has the ability to self-regulate, and changes in fish populations are only part of the ecological balance. Humanity needs to continue to support and participate in ecological conservation efforts, while maintaining reverence and respect for ecosystems to ensure the health and vitality of the Yangtze River. In the future journey, let us work together to let the clear flow of the Yangtze River continue to flow, so that the concept of ecological civilization can be better inherited and developed.
Finless porpoises playing in the water
Resources:
- The Yangtze River's "ten-year fishing ban" has achieved phased results Zhengguan news
- The "weeping" of the Yangtze River! The 2-meter-long giant squid preys on fishing, and the 10-year ban on fishing and tiger breeding is a problem?