The Chinese sturgeon, thought to have
existed for more than 140 million years, is now on the brink of
extinction, according to local media.
15 September 2014
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| Chinese scientists released artificially-bred sturgeons into the Yangtze river in April |
Xinhua reported that no wild
sturgeon reproduced naturally last year in the Yangtze river.
It was the first time since researchers
began recording levels 32 years ago.
Chinese researches say the fall is due
to rising levels of pollution in the Yangtze river and the
construction of dozens of dams.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of
Fishery Sciences also found that no young sturgeons were found
swimming along the Yangtze toward the sea during the period they
usually do so.
A researcher told Xinhua that in the
1980s, at least several thousand sturgeon could be found in the
river. It is estimated only around 100 fish remain.
"Without natural reproduction, the
fish population cannot replenish itself. If there are no further
steps taken to strengthen conservation, the wild sturgeon faces the
danger of extinction," he said.
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| Several sturgeon fish are housed in the Beijing aquarium |
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| The finless porpoise, another native species to the Yangtze river, is said to be at risk as well |
In recent decades the Chinese authorities have built numerous dams along the 6,300km-long Yangtze river to boost the country's electricity supply. Such moves have drawn criticism of environmental degradation and displacement of villagers.
The WWF says that one of two species of
dolphins native to the Yangtze river, the Baiji dolphin, went extinct
in 2006 because of declining fish stocks.
The other species, the finless
porpoise, is said to be at risk from illegal and intensive
fishing practices and pollution. About 1,200 to 1,800 finless
porpoises remain in the entire 1.8 million sq km Yangtze basin.
(source: BBC)
