On January 30, a press conference was held by the State Council Information Office to announce the mid-term assessment results and phased achievements of the ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River, now in its fifth year. It was announced that the population of the Yangtze finless porpoise has recovered from about 1,249 individuals in 2021 to 1,426 in 2025, an increase of 177 over five years. This marks the first time the population decline has been reversed, entering a phase of “stabilization with growth.”

Yangtze finless porpoises in the waves near Wuhan’s Xinzhou district.

As China’s only freshwater cetacean, the Yangtze finless porpoise is a “flagship species” reflecting the health of the Yangtze River’s ecosystem and a “touchstone” for testing the effectiveness of the ten-year fishing ban. In the 1990s, its population reached 2,700, but due to human activities, it dropped to 1,012 in 2017.

Five relocation protection zones have been established in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The current relocated protection population exceeds 150 individuals, with more than 10 calves born annually, forming a relocation protection network covering the middle and lower Yangtze and laying the foundation for continuously supplementing the natural population in the future. Through technological breakthroughs by institutions such as the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a sperm bank for freshwater cetaceans has been established, paving the way for breakthroughs in full-chain artificial breeding technology. Although the population shows a recovery trend, the number of Yangtze finless porpoises is still only about half of its historical peak, and its endangered status has not fundamentally changed.

The sight of finless porpoises playing in the water has become a visual representation of the Yangtze’s ecological improvement.

Recently, eight departments, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, jointly issued the “Yangtze Finless Porpoise Conservation Action Plan (2026–2035),” outlining protection goals for the next decade: strengthening natural population protection, regulating water-related activities, clearing remaining nets and fishing gear, enhancing emergency rescue during extreme weather, studying navigation restrictions in key habitats, and restoring natural habitats like floodplains. The natural population target is 1,700 by 2030 and 2,000 by 2035; the relocated protection population target is 220 by 2030 and 300 by 2035. Efforts will continue to advance artificial breeding technology, building a full-chain technical system to ensure the expansion of conservation breeding and the preservation of key genetic resources.

Five years into the implementation of the ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River, the return of the finless porpoise has become a significant indicator of ecological restoration. With the deepening of systematic conservation measures, the mother river Yangtze is gradually regaining its vitality. The sight of finless porpoises playing in the water can now be seen in multiple sections of the river, including Wuhan and Nanjing. The scene of “mother and calf” swimming together has become a direct reflection of the Yangtze’s ecological improvement.

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and a cradle of Chinese civilization, with a history of human settlement and agricultural development dating back millennia. It has served as a vital transportation artery and economic corridor for centuries, shaping the culture and history of central and eastern China. Today, it is also the site of major modern engineering projects, most notably the Three Gorges Dam.

State Council Information Office

The State Council Information Office is a department under China’s State Council responsible for publicizing government policies and facilitating media relations. Established in 1991, it organizes press conferences, publishes white papers, and manages information dissemination to both domestic and international audiences. Its work supports transparency and communication regarding China’s development and official positions.

Wuhan’s Xinzhou district

Wuhan’s Xinzhou district is a historically rich area located in the northeastern part of Wuhan, Hubei province. It was officially established as a district in 1983 but has a much longer history, with cultural roots dating back over a thousand years, including ties to the ancient Chu Kingdom. Today, it is known for its ecological landscapes, such as Zhangdu Lake, and serves as an important modern agricultural and logistics hub for the city.

Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

The Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IHB), founded in 1950 in Wuhan, is China’s leading research institution dedicated to freshwater biology and the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. Its history is closely tied to major national projects, most famously its pioneering research on the critically endangered Yangtze River dolphin, or baiji. Today, it remains at the forefront of studies on algae, fish, and wetland ecology, playing a vital role in addressing water environmental challenges in China.

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is a key government department in China, established in its current form in 2018 through a reorganization of previous agricultural bodies. It is responsible for formulating and implementing national policies on agriculture, rural development, and the management of natural resources like farmland and fisheries, with a historical focus on ensuring food security and modernizing the countryside.

Wuhan

Wuhan is the capital of Hubei Province in central China, historically formed by the merging of three towns—Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang—at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han rivers. It has been a major transportation and economic hub for centuries, notably as a treaty port in the late 19th century and the site of the 1911 Wuchang Uprising that led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty. In modern times, it is recognized as a key center for education, industry, and was the initial epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019.

Nanjing

Nanjing is a historic city in eastern China that served as the capital for several dynasties, most notably during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) when it was one of the world’s largest cities. It is also remembered for its tragic role in modern history as the site of the Nanjing Massacre during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. Today, it is a major cultural and educational center, home to landmarks like the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the well-preserved Nanjing City Wall.

Yangtze

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and a cradle of Chinese civilization, with a history of human settlement and agriculture dating back millennia. It has served as a vital transportation route, economic artery, and cultural symbol throughout China’s history. Today, it is also famous for the monumental Three Gorges Dam and its dramatic scenic gorges.