Yangtze’s fish stocks ‘on edge of collapse’
Print Edition
DAMS and reservoirs created for hydroelectric projects have left fish stocks upstream in the Yangtze River on the edge of collapse, experts warned yesterday.
Changes to the ecology threaten Chinese fishermen’s livelihoods, added the Yangtze Basin Commission Office.
Excessive numbers of dams and reservoirs for hydroelectric schemes have disrupted the ecosystem of the Jinsha River — the westernmost of the Yangtze’s major headwater streams, they said.
This has led to a huge decrease in the variety and quantity of fish stocks in the Yangtze River over the past few decades, recent research by the East China Sea Fisheries Law Enforcement Bureau found.
The river was previously home to 175 species of aquatic creatures, but this figure has halved in the past five years.
“The high density of hydroelectric projects is to blame for the negative ecological changes, while illegal fishing adds to the burden,” said Zhao Yimin, director of the Yangtze Basin Commission Office.
Zhao attributed some blame to the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, completed in 2009.
“Dams, including the Three Gorges Dam changed the downstream river environment, including water capacity and temperature, disturbing spawning timing,” the official was quoted.
“Certain species of fish which lived on torrential steams could not survive in quiet reservoir waters.”
Zhao warned how these changes are impacting on fishing communities.
“The lives of those living along the Yangtze will be severely challenged by changes to the river environment.”
“Worse is yet to come if we don’t take immediate measures to tackle the environmental damage on the Yangtze,” added Zhao.
Some experts have suggested a 10-year fishing ban, but others say this would be a harsh decision for fishermen.
There are currently 25 hydroelectric projects along the main stream of Jinsha River, making it a “giant reservoir,” according to the research.
At 6,418 kilometers, the Yangtze is the longest river in Asia, and is home to more than a dozen of endangered species including the Chinese sturgeon and finless porpoise.
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