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]