On August 3, Yu Kangzhen, Counselor of the State Council and former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, visited Freshwater Fisheries Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences to investigate the protection and breeding of key aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River. DDG Bing Xuwen of FFRC warmly welcomed Counselor Yu Kangzhen and organized a symposium, which was attended by members of the FFRC’s leadership team, Researcher Xu Pao, Chief Scientist of FFRC, and chiefs of relevant departments.

At the symposium, DDG Bing Xuwen extended a warm welcome to Counselor Yu Kangzhen and his delegation to FFRC for investigation, and briefly introduced the work achievements of FFRC in the protection and breeding of key aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River. Subsequently, Researcher Xu Pao and Researcher Liu Kai made a detailed report on the support of the Yangtze River fishing ban and the protection of the Yangtze finless porpoise.

Counselor Yu Kangzhen fully affirmed the work done by FFRC in supporting the protection of the Yangtze River with science and technology. He pointed out that the current Yangtze River ten-year fishing ban has achieved initial results, and is entering the stage of aquatic ecological restoration, and it is necessary to further strengthen the monitoring of aquatic biological resources in the Yangtze River basin and do a good job in evaluating the effect of fishing ban. In addition, it is necessary to establish a normalized management mechanism to strengthen the protection and conservation of endangered and flagship species. FFRC should further play the role of scientific and technological support, and make greater contributions to the protection of key aquatic biological resources and aquatic ecological restoration of the Yangtze River.

During the investigation, Counselor Yu Kangzhen also inspected the new aquatic varieties cultivated by FFRC, and investigated the Yangshan Scientific Research Experimental Base of FFRC, and fully affirmed the scientific research achievements of FFRC.