Erhai fish ecological regulation work will be fully launched in 2026

China News Service, Dali, Yunnan, September 16th (Li Jing, Shi Junwei) During the Erhai Lake ecological regulation period in autumn, the lake is dotted with fishing boats and lights scattered at night, becoming a unique autumn scenery in Cang'er Lake. The Erhai Management Bureau of Dali City, Yunnan Province said that from now on, the ecological regulation of Erhai fish in 2026 will be fully launched.

Different from general fishery fishing, Erhai fish ecological regulation aims to optimize the fish population structure and restore the lake's ecological functions through scientific management. The ultimate goal of ecological regulation is to promote the recovery of aquatic vegetation and zooplankton by regulating fish communities, and promote the control of endogenous pollution in lakes and the improvement of water quality.

Statistics show that a total of 611 fishing boats participated in ecological regulation operations this year, and "one boat, one license" management was strictly implemented. Each operating fishing boat was equipped with certified fishermen, and fishing work was carried out in a standardized manner throughout the process.

Zheng Guohui, deputy director of the Erhai Administration Bureau of Dali City, said that the fishing lights on the lake were originally used for light trapping during ecological control operations, but unexpectedly they formed a dreamlike and characteristic landscape.

At present, the water quality of Erhai Lake continues to stabilize and improve, but the water ecosystem is still in a fragile transition stage. Small exotic fish such as smelt and whitebait are overflowing in the waters. The indigenous fish population is shrinking. At the same time, the ability of older silver carp and bighead carp to control algae is weakened. Bottom fish such as carp and crucian carp disturb the bottom mud, exacerbating endogenous pollution and destroying the ecological balance of the water body. Carrying out scientific and standardized fish ecological regulation can continuously optimize the fish community structure of Erhai Lake, repair unbalanced water ecology, steadily improve water quality, while driving fishermen to increase their income and become rich, and effectively promote the transformation of ecological value into economic value.

This ecological regulation is strictly implemented in accordance with the relevant provisions of the "Fisheries Law of the People's Republic of China" and the "Erhai Protection and Management Regulations of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province". It closely adheres to the "three water coordination" management requirements of water resources, water environment, and water ecology, accurately restores the Erhai ecosystem, and builds a strong Erhai ecological security barrier.

Under official arrangements, ecological regulation of fish in Erhai Lake has been steadily advanced in stages this year. The control period for small exotic fish is from September 15 to October 8, and from November 20 to December 5; the control period for carp, crucian carp, silver carp, and bighead carp is from October 10 to October 30, and the daily operating hours are unified from 19:00 to 8:00 the next day. The specifications of the net gear and operating waters are strictly limited throughout the operation. While scientifically regulating the fish population structure, aquatic biological resources are protected to the maximum extent and the virtuous cycle of the Erhai Lake ecosystem is ensured.

The fishermen who have lived on the Erhai Lake for generations are the most vivid witnesses of the changes in the lake's light and night. Xia Guozhao, 50 years old, is a villager in Xiajia Village, Manjiang Street, Dali City. This year, his family also signed up to participate in the Erhai Lake ecological regulation fishing operation.

"I participate in ecological regulation every year, and I can catch up to five to six hundred kilograms of fish in one night. I hope that through ecological regulation, the lake water will become clearer and the Erhai Lake will be better protected, which will make us happy," Xia Guozhao said.

Each fishing lantern is not only the lighting during operation, but also the little light that protects the lake, reflecting Dali's long-term ecological protection path.