China's biggest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake in east China's Jiangxi Province, entered its three-month fishing moratorium at midday on Thursday, a move to protect fishing resources during the egg-laying season.
All fishing activities and other actions that may threaten fish and the lake environment will be banned during the moratorium, said officials with the provincial fishery administration.
Meanwhile, the provincial authorities will adopt fishing bans in the Jiangxi section of the Yangtze River and Pearl River later this year.
Spring is the season when the fish lay eggs, so imposing fishing bans in the period is an effective way to ensure sustainable development of the local fishery industry.
Poyang Lake is renowned for its rich fishing resources, while in recent years, persistent drought and over-exploitation have endangered the lake's resources. An annual fishing ban which lasts from March to June was initiated in 2002.
