ZHANG Zhili, vice minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, briefed on IHB’s advances in aquaculture breeding. (Credit: IHB)

On December 4, 2024, ZHANG Zhili, vice minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, led a delegation to the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The delegation focused on IHB’s advancements in developing breeding technologies and high-quality strains of major freshwater fish species such as grass carp, crucian carp, common carp, and bighead carp, as well as specialty species like rice field eel and yellow catfish. Progress in implementing the Yangtze River’s 10-year fishing ban and aquatic biodiversity conservation was also highlighted.

Prof. CAO Wenxuan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), presented key achievements of the Yangtze River’s 10-year fishing ban, emphasizing its ecological and conservation impacts. Vice Minister Zhang commended Professor Cao’s vision in advocating for the ban. He also encouraged researchers at IHB to further contribute to developing new aquaculture species and advancing ecological protection efforts in the Yangtze River basin.

The visit also included PENG Yong, vice governor of Hubei Province; ZHANG Guihua, director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; and ZHANG Zhongjun, vice mayor of Wuhan City.

ZHANG Zhili, vice minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, visited the Museum of Historical Development at IHB. (Credit: IHB)

ZHANG Zhili, vice minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, visited the Museum of Hydrobiological Sciences. (Credit: IHB)

ZHANG Zhili Briefed on Professor Cao Wenxuan’s Insights into the Achievements of the Yangtze River’s 10-Year Fishing Ban. (Credit: IHB)

ZHANG Zhili, vice minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, visited the Baiji Dolphinarium. (Credit: IHB)