 Dovefish comes under protection in China |
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China is taking measures to protect the dovefish, a rare species of fish found in the Yellow River.
The dovefish, or northern bronze gudgeon, takes its name form its dovelike shape. It used to be presented to emperors as a tribute for its good taste in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Because of overfishing and the deterioration of its environment, its numbers have fallen sharply, and it is believed to be rarer than the giant panda, another species on the brink of extinction.
The fisheries bureau of the regional department of agriculture and animal husbandry of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region set up a rescue center last month to protect all kinds aquatic life in the Yellow River, including the dovefish.
The Ningxia Regional Research Institute of Aquatic Products made a general investigation into the numbers and habits of the dovefish.
The region plans to build a dovefish breeding base in five to eight years to increase its numbers and release them into the river. Ningxia also joined the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in banning fishing in the river as from this year.
Wu Xudong, deputy director of the Ningxia Regional Research Institute of Aquatic Products, said, "It is an urgent task to protect dovefish, which is an important member of the fish genus."
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