The annual spring ban on fishing along a major stretch of the Yangtze River went into effect yesterday, but Shanghai residents needn't worry about losing out on aquatic dishes.

From April 1 to June 30, fishing is prohibited in the Yangtze River from the Gezhouba Dam in Sichuan Province to the river's mouth near Shanghai - except for a limited number of special permits for saury and anchovies.

For many Shanghai residents, saury - a delicacy related to needlefish - is becoming more expensive because of falling supply, a condition the ban seeks to alleviate.

Prices soared recently to 1,800 yuan (US$217) a kilogram.

"I've caught only five sauries since I started fishing in early February," said Li Jingui, 56, who has worked at the mouth of the Yangtze River for the past 36 years. "But I'm lucky compared with many other fishermen who haven't caught one."

A few years ago, Li said his saury haul amounted to more than 100 kilograms a day.

Experts said the decrease is caused by water pollution and overfishing.

"In consideration of our descendants, it is our responsibility to protect the river," said Wang Limin of the Yangtze River Fisheries Administrative Commission.

The spring fishing ban, which began three years ago, aims to help restore aquatic life.

"The three months is the spawning period for baby fish," said Gao Xuexiang of the Shanghai Fisheries Office. "And fishermen will reap long-term profits when the supply increases, even though the ban affects them in the short term."

(Source: www.sh.gov.cn )