Hunan sees return of rare species as Yangtze fishing ban bears fruit

According to the Xiangtan Bureau for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, fishery monitoring of the Xiangjiang River and its tributary, the Lianshui River, has been completed for the year. A total of 51 fish species have been recorded, marking a slight increase from last year. Notably, several protected species have returned, including the nationally second-class protected Chinese sucker (Myxocyprinus asiaticus), as well as several provincially protected species. A number of native fish, rarely seen in recent years, have also been recorded again.

The city has continued stocking local fish species such as grass carp, silver carp, and Xiangjiang wild carp. The agriculture bureau has also collaborated with university research teams to set up monitoring points along the rivers and compile a local fish resource catalog for better research and protection.