On December 3, 2024, the 2024 Guizhou Province Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Awareness Month officially kicked off in Chishui. (Credit: IHB)

On December 3, 2024, the 2024 Guizhou Province Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Awareness Month officially kicked off in Chishui. The event is hosted by the Guizhou Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and organized by the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with support from the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Bureaus of Zunyi City and Chishui City.

The opening ceremony was attended by LIU Youming, deputy inspector of the Guizhou Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; GAO Min, deputy director of the Guizhou Fisheries Bureau; WU Wenzhuo, vice mayor of Chishui; and ZHANG Haiyang, deputy head of the Research and Technology Development at IHB. Representatives from IHB, the Guizhou Fisheries Bureau, and various municipal departments, along with local volunteer teams, participated in the event.

This year’s theme, "Caring for Aquatic Wildlife, Building a Harmonious Home," emphasizes raising public awareness about aquatic wildlife conservation and fostering a societal culture of care for aquatic species. The campaign will run through December 19.

Following the opening ceremony, attendees explored educational exhibits and watched high-definition videos showcasing the ecological treasures of the Chishui River. These materials highlighted the outcomes of the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban, the region's nationally protected fish species, and endemic fish unique to the upper Yangtze River.

From November 20 to December 19, 2024, volunteers from IHB have been visiting primary and secondary schools in Chishui, conducting the "Experts Entering Campuses" program. Centered around the theme "The Spirits of the Chishui River," the initiative employs a range of tools—including videos, articles, display boards, and online lectures—to disseminate knowledge about aquatic wildlife protection and the Yangtze River's fishing ban. The program aims to spread conservation concepts widely, embedding the importance of aquatic wildlife protection in every community.

Attendees viewed the conservation posters (Credit: IHB)

IHB Volunteer Brings Aquatic Science Education to Chishui Schools (Credit: IHB)