Core Insights - The overall recovery of aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River Basin is positive, with a continuous improvement in integrity index and a need for enhanced protection of rare and endangered species [2][7] Group 1: Aquatic Biological Resources Recovery - In 2024, the unit resource amount in the main stream of the Yangtze River is 2.3 kg, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2023 [2] - From 2021 to 2024, a total of 344 indigenous fish species have been monitored, an increase of 36 species compared to the pre-fishing ban period (2017-2020) [2] - The overall water quality evaluation in the Yangtze River is rated as excellent, with 98.6% of monitoring sections classified as grade I-III, up 0.1 percentage points from 2023 [2] Group 2: Key Protected Species - The distribution range of the Yangtze River dolphin is expanding, and the number of certain key protected species is increasing, including the first natural reproduction of the lipstick loach in 30 years [3] - The resource amount of the four major economic fish species in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River is 6.2 times that of 2020 [3] - The implementation of a comprehensive fishing ban since 2017 has led to a steady increase in biodiversity in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River [3] Group 3: Conservation Efforts - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has guided the establishment of indigenous fish breeding farms in Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan, releasing 6.63 million rare indigenous fish into the wild during the 14th Five-Year Plan period [4] - Successful monitoring of artificial breeding and spawning behavior of the Yangtze sturgeon has been achieved through habitat restoration efforts [4] - Restoration projects have improved the natural connectivity of tributaries, allowing rare fish species to re-enter and thrive in these areas [4] Group 4: Challenges in Biodiversity Recovery - Despite reports of increased fish populations in certain areas, the overall recovery of fish resources and biodiversity in the Yangtze River is still slow [5] - The slow recovery of flagship species such as the Chinese sturgeon and Yangtze sturgeon indicates ongoing survival crises for these species [7] - Historical data shows that 99 out of 443 fish species previously distributed in the Yangtze River have not been monitored since the fishing ban [5] Group 5: Future Conservation Strategies - There is a need to optimize and upgrade the rescue action plan for rare and endangered species, including expanding artificial breeding and release efforts for the Chinese sturgeon [8] - Continuous monitoring and removal of potential threats such as underwater nets and fishing lines are essential for species protection [8] - Further efforts are required to restore spawning grounds and promote natural reproduction of the Yangtze sturgeon to enhance self-sustaining populations [8]

Core Insights - The overall recovery of aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River Basin is positive, with an increase in integrity index and resource quantity [1][2][4] Group 1: Aquatic Biological Resources - In 2024, the resource quantity in the main stream of the Yangtze River is 2.3 kg per unit, a 9.5% increase from 2023 [1] - A total of 344 indigenous fish species have been monitored from 2021 to 2024, an increase of 36 species compared to the pre-fishing ban period (2017-2020) [1][2] - The water quality assessment in the Yangtze River is rated as excellent, with 98.6% of monitoring sections classified as I-III quality, a 0.1 percentage point increase from 2023 [1] Group 2: Key Protected Species - The distribution of the Yangtze finless porpoise is expanding, and the number of key protected species is increasing, including the first natural reproduction of the rosy bitterling in 30 years [2] - The resource quantity of the four major economic fish species (Qing fish, grass fish, silver carp, bighead carp) in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River is 6.2 times that of the pre-fishing ban in 2020 [2] Group 3: Conservation Efforts - Since the implementation of a comprehensive fishing ban in 2017, biodiversity in the Chishui River has steadily increased, with 117 indigenous fish species monitored from 2021 to 2024 [2][3] - The Chishui River has seen successful artificial breeding of indigenous fish species, with 6.63 million rare indigenous fish released during the 14th Five-Year Plan period [3] Group 4: Challenges in Recovery - Despite the positive trends, the recovery of fish resources and biodiversity in the natural waters of the Yangtze River is still slow, with many indigenous species not yet monitored [4][6] - The Yangtze sturgeon and Chinese sturgeon populations are still facing severe protection challenges, with the Chinese sturgeon not observed to reproduce naturally for eight consecutive years [6] Group 5: Future Actions - To enhance the protection of rare and endangered species, there is a need to optimize and upgrade rescue action plans, including expanding artificial breeding and release efforts for the Chinese sturgeon [6]

Core Insights - The overall recovery of aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River Basin is positive, with an increase in integrity index and species diversity [1][2][5] Group 1: Aquatic Biological Resources - In 2024, the resource amount in the main stream of the Yangtze River is 2.3 kg per unit, a 9.5% increase from 2023 [1] - A total of 344 indigenous fish species have been monitored from 2021 to 2024, an increase of 36 species compared to the pre-fishing ban period (2017-2020) [1] - The overall water quality evaluation in the Yangtze River is rated as excellent, with 98.6% of monitoring sections classified as grade I-III, a 0.1 percentage point increase from 2023 [1] Group 2: Key Protected Species - The distribution of the Yangtze River dolphin is expanding, and the number of key protected species is increasing, including the first natural reproduction of the rosy bitterling in 30 years [1][2] - The resource amount of the four major economic fish species (Qing fish, grass fish, silver carp, and bighead carp) in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River is 6.2 times that of 2020 [1] - The implementation of a comprehensive fishing ban since 2017 has led to a steady increase in biodiversity and resource quantity in the Chishui River, with 117 indigenous fish species monitored from 2021 to 2024 [2] Group 3: Conservation Efforts - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has guided the establishment of breeding facilities for indigenous fish species, releasing 6.63 million rare indigenous fish in the Chishui River basin during the 14th Five-Year Plan period [2] - The Yangtze sturgeon has been successfully monitored for natural spawning behavior, indicating progress in species recovery efforts [2][5] - Continuous efforts are needed to enhance the protection of rare and endangered species, including the expansion of artificial breeding and release programs for the Chinese sturgeon [6]

Core Insights - The overall recovery of aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River Basin is positive, with a significant increase in resource quantity and diversity [1] Group 1: Aquatic Biological Resources - In 2024, the unit resource quantity of the Yangtze River main stream is 2.3 kg, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2023 [1] - The resource quantity of the four major fish species (Qing fish, Grass fish, Silver fish, and Bighead fish) at the monitoring section in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River is 8.32 billion (tails), which is 6.2 times that of the pre-fishing ban in 2020 [1] Group 2: Biodiversity and Habitat - The integrity index of aquatic organisms in the Yangtze River Basin continues to improve, with the index for the Chishui River rated as "good" for three consecutive years [1] - From 2021 to 2024, a total of 344 indigenous fish species have been monitored in the Yangtze River Basin, an increase of 36 species compared to the pre-fishing ban period (2017 to 2020) [1] - The overall stability of habitats is reflected in the water quality evaluation, with 98.6% of the water quality sections rated as Class I-III, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from 2023 [1]

Core Insights - The overall recovery of aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River Basin is positive, with a significant increase in resource quantity and diversity observed in 2024 compared to previous years [1] Group 1: Resource Quantity - The unit resource quantity of the Yangtze River main stream in 2024 is 2.3 kilograms, representing a 9.5% increase from 2023 [1] - The resource quantity of the four major fish species (Qing fish, Grass fish, Silver fish, and Bighead fish) at the monitoring section in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River is 8.32 billion larvae, which is 6.2 times that of the pre-fishing ban in 2020 [1] Group 2: Biological Integrity and Diversity - The aquatic biological integrity index in the Yangtze River Basin continues to improve, with the index for the Chishui River rated as "good" for three consecutive years [1] - The species diversity level is steadily recovering, with a total of 344 indigenous fish species monitored from 2021 to 2024, an increase of 36 species compared to the pre-fishing ban period (2017 to 2020) [1] - The natural reproduction of the rosy bitterling fry has been observed in the Yangtze River for the first time in over 30 years [1] Group 3: Habitat Conditions - The overall habitat conditions are stable, with the water quality assessment of the main and tributaries of the Yangtze River rated as excellent in 2024, where 98.6% of the water quality sections fall into categories I-III, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from 2023 [1]