Ready for some eco-news? On December 31, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the Chinese mainland announced it is extending and expanding the fishing ban in the Yellow River basin to keep ecosystems vibrant and fish stocks on the rise 🐠🌿.
Starting January 1, 2026, the year-round ban will cover the river's source area and upstream key waters until December 31, 2030. From the Ningxia section all the way to the estuary, a seasonal moratorium kicks in every year from April 1 to July 31 ⏳.
Except for limited quota-based fishing in designated spots and specific species, all productive fishing activities are off-limits during ban periods. The move aims to build on the ban launched in 2018, which helped protect aquatic life but didn't fully reverse the overall decline in fishery resources.
To make it stick, the ministry will team up with nine provincial-level regions along the basin to boost law enforcement and safeguard fishery resources.
This policy mirrors the Chinese mainland's successful 10-year fishing ban (2021–2030) on the Yangtze River, part of its broader ecological civilization strategy 🌏.
The Yellow River—honored as the "Mother River" of Chinese civilization—feeds about 12% of the Chinese mainland's population and irrigates 17% of its arable land, supplying water to over 50 cities.
For news enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, students, and travelers alike, this is a powerful example of balancing human needs and nature. Stay tuned for more updates on how this ban shapes the future of sustainable fisheries!
Reference(s):
China extends Yellow River fishing ban to keep ecosystems vibrant
cgtn.com
