Shanghai takes steps to protect rare sturgeon
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-03-16 22:59

The country's first law to protect endangered Chinese sturgeons will be implemented in Shanghai this year.

The legislation will come into force in time for the less than 3,000 "living fossils" that usually start to enter waters around the city's east coast, announced Jiao Yang, spokeswoman for the Shanghai municipal government in a press conference Wednesday.

"The law stipulates clearly which government departments will take the main responsibilities and what exactly to do to protect the fish," said Jiao.

According to the law, no fishing will be allowed between May 1 and September 30 when the fish are usually found around the east coast of Shanghai's Chongming Island.

The creature only usually lives in the Yangtze River.

In the banned period, any person wanting to fish will need permission from the local authorities.

Jiao said the ban will not influence the city's fish consumption.

"The area used to produce about 300 tons of fish every year, an inconsiderable part of Shanghai's more than 650,000 tons of annual consumption," said Jiao.

For the fishermen who are used to fishing in the area, preferential policies are being considered by the Shanghai Municipal Agricultural Commission to help them find other work, said Liu Jian, an official from the commission.

"Other activities that might threaten the environment in the area are also forbidden, like discharging waste, explosions, drilling and dredging, all of which we have witnessed in recent years," said Jiao.

"Even scientific research will be limited."

The law includes detailed descriptions about what to do when an injured, stranded or dead sturgeon is found and where to call for help.

Certain facilities will be set up in the area to take in and cure the injured fish and some vets will be stationed there.

"Last year, we saved about 120 Chinese sturgeons in the area," said Liu.

In 2002, Shanghai marked the east coast of Chongming Island, about 276 square kilometres, as a natural reserve for the sturgeons, the first and largest natural reserve of its kind in the country.

"But as the coast keeps changing because of flooding and ebbing, the area will be adjusted according to the changes and the distribution of the fish," said Jiao.

"The Chinese sturgeon is a rare species which lived in the same era as the dinosaur and dates back to the Mesozoic Era (144 to 65 million years ago)," said Liu.

In a survey last year, only 500 sturgeons were found to spawn in the upper reaches of the river.

"The sturgeons might die out in five years unless appropriate measures are taken immediately," added Liu.

Jiao also announced another new law to help promote and regulate the city's exhibition industry.

"Any exhibition must be approved by the authorities," said Jiao.

"Every year, we will publish a list of what exhibitions will be allowed in the city.

"Rules will be stricter for international exhibitions."

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