The Fishing Affairs Division of China's Ministry of Agriculture and Hubei Provincial Agricultural Department have held a special ceremony in Wuchang, Wuhan, which marks the beginning of this year's fishing ban on the Yangtze River.

From now ountil June 30, no fishing will be allowed on the Yangtze River east of Gezhouba. This year marks the seventh fishing ban on the Yangtze River. During this spring period, no fishing will be allowed, and companies or individuals must not sell or purchase any fish that comes from that part of the river.

According to Chinese media, there are over 15000 people who rely directly on fishing in Hubei Province for their livelihood. The local government and the fishing department along the Yangtze River will help these people shift to other businesses by offering them subsidies, arranging jobs or providing insurance.

Statistics show that China's fishing production is 40 million tons per year, of which 2 million tons are from inland river fishing, including 100,000 tons from the middle and lower ranges as well as the branches of the Yangtze River, accounting about a quarter of one percent of the national total fishing.