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After decades of environmental decline, China’s Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia, is showing promising signs of recovery. A new study published in *Science* reports that fish populations in the river have more than doubled in just two years following the implementation of a comprehensive 10-year fishing ban introduced by the Chinese government in 2021.
The research, conducted by Fangyuan Xiong from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlights significant increases in both fish biomass and diversity, alongside a notable rebound of several endangered species. This marks a pivotal moment in demonstrating how effective political measures can restore damaged freshwater ecosystems.
The Yangtze River, which stretches nearly 4,000 miles from the Tibetan Plateau to the East China Sea, supports over 400 million people. However, it has faced severe ecological pressures due to pollution, overfishing, dam construction, and habitat destruction. The river suffered a significant loss in biodiversity, exemplified by the extinction of the baiji, a freshwater dolphin, which was declared functionally extinct in 2006 due to these stressors.
In response to years of scientific advocacy for stronger protections, the Chinese government enacted the fishing ban in 2021, utilizing a framework based on evolutionary game theory to balance ecological restoration with the needs of local fishing communities. Approximately 200,000 fishers received compensation and support for alternative employment, alongside the decommissioning of around 100,000 fishing boats, as part of a $3 billion investment in the initiative.
The study compared fish populations from the two years prior to the ban (2019–2021) with those from the two years following its introduction (2021–2023). Findings revealed a twofold increase in fish biomass, a 13 percent rise in species diversity, and a strong recovery of endangered species, including the Yangtze finless porpoise, whose population is estimated to have grown from around 400 to 600 individuals.
Despite these encouraging results, researchers caution that the river’s recovery remains fragile. Illegal fishing continues, particularly in major tributaries, and pollution from industrial runoff poses ongoing challenges. Additionally, hydropower dams obstruct critical migration routes for species like the critically endangered Chinese sturgeon.
The Yangtze’s recovery offers a hopeful example and potential model for other rivers experiencing similar threats around the world. As global biodiversity faces unprecedented decline, this case demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated scientific, policy, and public investment efforts in restoring vital ecosystems. While significant work lies ahead, the early outcomes indicate a path forward for the revitalization of rivers globally.
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