China’s Yangtze River is recovering after a 10-year fishing ban launched in 2021. A study in Science reports fish biomass has more than doubled. Species diversity has risen by 13 percent. The critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise increased from about 400 to 600 animals.

Authorities enforced the ban with patrols and scrapped many of 100,000 fishing boats. Around 200,000 fishers received financial support and job transition aid, costing €2.8 billion. Researchers warn the river remains fragile, with illegal fishing and hydropower barriers still posing risks.

Photo: Pedro Szekely via flickr