A delegation from IHB, led by director MIAO Wei, visited the Yangtze River Basin Fisheries Supervision and Administration Office under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China (MARA) on March 16, 2026. (Credit: IHB)

A delegation from the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by director MIAO Wei, visited three key fisheries institutions from March 16 to 17, 2026, to discuss collaboration on Yangtze River biodiversity conservation, the "ten-year fishing ban," conservation and captive breeding of the Yangtze finless porpoise, and fisheries technology innovation.

The three institutions were the Yangtze River Basin Fisheries Supervision and Administration Office under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China (MARA), the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, and the Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS).

At the Yangtze River Basin Fisheries Supervision and Administration Office, director JIANG Kaiyong and deputy director YI Yanrong participated in discussions.

Jiang commended IHB's contributions, noting that the institute "has played a vital role in supporting the ten-year fishing ban, protecting rare and endangered aquatic species, and restoring habitats along the Yangtze."

He outlined the office's priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, including infrastructure development, aquatic species protection, and major habitat restoration efforts.

MIAO Wei presented IHB's recent work on aquatic species conservation in large rivers, captive breeding of the Yangtze finless porpoise, and aquatic biological monitoring.

Both sides agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, collaborate on key technological challenges, and jointly support conservation efforts along the Yangtze.

At the East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, director FANG Hui and deputy director ZHAO Feng hosted the delegation.

Discussions focused on Yangtze conservation, estuary and bay management, aquatic biodiversity protection, and smart fisheries. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening research collaboration, jointly applying for major research projects, building innovation platforms, and accelerating the translation of research findings into practical applications.

They agreed to enhance coordination and pursue complementary approaches that bridge river and sea conservation efforts.

At the Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, director CHEN Jun and deputy director CUI Mingchao, deputy director of the institute, participated in the discussions.

Both sides emphasized the importance of integrating research strengths across disciplines. They discussed combining expertise in aquatic biology and ecological aquaculture with fisheries equipment, smart facilities, and engineering technology to support the modernization of the fisheries sector.

"We aim to drive innovation in fisheries technology and contribute to national food security and high-quality development of the fisheries industry," Chen said.

A delegation from IHB, led by director MIAO Wei, visited the Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS) on March 17, 2026. (Credit: IHB)