The annual fishing season on the Qiantang River resums on July 1. [Photo/Tide News]

The annual fishing season on the Qiantang River resumed on July 1 after a four-month fishing ban, as fishermen prepared to return to the water following the ecological protection period.

Introduced across Zhejiang's major river systems in 2022, the seasonal ban is designed to protect fish spawning and restore aquatic biodiversity. Officials said the end of the ban does not mean unrestricted fishing, with enforcement against illegal catches set to continue.

The Qiantang River is home to a variety of native fish species that have long been part of Hangzhou's culinary and cultural heritage, including dark sleeper, freshwater bass, bream, and river eel. Some species, such as the black amur bream, have become key targets of conservation and restocking programs as indicators of the river's ecological recovery.

Other once-famous native fish, including the Chinese shad, declined sharply in the late 20th century because of environmental changes and overfishing. Authorities say sustained measures — including seasonal fishing bans, fish release programs, waterway restoration, and smarter fisheries management — have helped improve the river's ecosystem in recent years.

The Hangzhou agriculture and rural affairs bureau said it will continue protecting native fish resources through stricter law enforcement and public awareness campaigns under China's revised Fisheries Law.

A woman shows off her harvest. [Photo/Tide News]