A recent video shot in the Three Gorges Dam area in Yichang, Hubei Province, shows a shocking picture of countless schools of fish swimming on the surface, including some behemoths up to two meters in length.
These schools are mainly made up of bighead carp and grayhead, and surprisingly, the ferocious ones make up about three-quarters.
Do you know that the eel is a carnivorous fish, and now that there are so many of them, does it really matter? Will it affect the ecosystem of the Yangtze River?
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The king of freshwater fish, the eel
The eel, known as the "tiger in the water" by the ancients, is also known as the "king of freshwater fish" because of its huge nutritional value.
This amazing creature is widely distributed in the north and south water systems of the continent and is an indispensable member of the Yangtze River ecosystem.
Adult rays can usually reach 2 meters in length, and some can even grow to more than 3 meters, and their weight can exceed 200 catties.
They have streamlined bodies, sword-sharp heads, and incredible swimming speeds, features that make them veritable beasts of the water.
The living habits of the eels are breathtaking, and as carnivorous fish, they are the apex predators in the Yangtze River ecosystem.
They have an amazing appetite and can eat up to 20% of their body weight every day, making them "big stomachs".
Despite their ferocious temperament, the eel is highly adaptable and can survive and thrive in a variety of water conditions.
However, when we see a surge in the number of eels in the Three Gorges Dam area, we can't help but ask: is this a blessing or a curse?
The Yangtze River, a great river that has flowed for thousands of years, has given birth to countless lives and witnessed the rise and fall of Chinese civilization.
However, with the rapid development of the economy, this mother river has also paid a heavy price.
Problems such as overfishing and environmental pollution are becoming more and more serious, and the once shallow bottom of fish has gradually disappeared, replaced by a sharp decline in fish populations, and even some rare species such as finless porpoise and Chinese sturgeon are on the verge of extinction.
In the face of this grim situation, the state took decisive action and implemented an unprecedented "10-year fishing ban" policy.
On December 31, 2020, this landmark policy was officially implemented, completely banning commercial fishing activities in the Yangtze River and its key tributaries until December 31, 2030.
This decision undoubtedly gives the Yangtze River ecosystem a precious opportunity to breathe and repair itself.
Since the implementation of the fishing ban policy, the ecological environment of the Yangtze River has undergone gratifying changes.
Once endangered, the finless porpoise is now more and more present in the Yangtze River, playing happily in the water, as if telling us about the rebirth of the Yangtze River.
What is even more exciting is that there are nearly 200 fish species in the Yangtze River, and biodiversity has been significantly improved.
Not only that, but the weight of edible fish has also increased significantly, which not only means the recovery of fish stocks, but also bodes well for sustainable development in the future.
As a result, the number of eel has increased, but this is not a bad thing.
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First of all, it is a direct manifestation of the improvement of the ecological environment of the river.
With the implementation of the fishing ban policy, the water quality of the Yangtze River has gradually improved, providing a more suitable living environment for fish.
Secondly, the recovery of the food chain has also contributed to it.
An increase in the number of eels, which are apex predators, means that the number of other fish – their food source – is also increasing.
This is the beginning of a virtuous cycle, indicating that the Yangtze River ecosystem is gradually returning to balance.
In addition, the existence of the Three Gorges Reservoir has also created unique living conditions for the eels.
The wide water surface and abundant food resources make it an ideal place for the fish to thrive.
This also reflects from the side that if human engineering construction can coexist in harmony with nature, it can create a win-win or even multi-win situation.
However, the dense fish population in the Three Gorges Dam area of the Yangtze River, while gratifying, has also raised a series of concerns.
The appetite of the eel is staggering. A fish only 50 cm long can swallow 2-3 catties of fry every day.
Imagine how staggering the amount of prey they can have when thousands of eel gather together!
More worryingly, the lifespan of eels can be more than 10 years, which means that they will pose a threat to other fish in the long term.
There have been giant erays weighing 93 catties and up to 1.7 meters long in the market, and such a "behemoth" will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the ecology of the waters.
However, the effects of the surge in eel populations are not limited to direct predation, their presence can also have a negative impact on water quality.
The excreta of large quantities of eel can increase the degree of eutrophication in the water column and promote the overgrowth of aquatic plants and algae.
This can lead to a lack of oxygen in the water body, which in turn affects the survival of other aquatic organisms.
In addition, the abundance of eel can also occupy the habitat of other fish and consume limited food resources, which may lead to the decline of other fish populations.
In the face of these concerns, we have to ask: does the surge in eel populations mean that the Yangtze River ecosystem is about to become unbalanced? Is human intervention needed?
Experts' opinion
In this regard, experts give a relatively optimistic view.
They believe that while the surge in eel populations is indeed a cause for concern, we need not be overly concerned and that this phenomenon is likely to be a positive sign for ecological restoration.
First, we need to recognize the importance of apex predators to the ecosystem.
The increase in the number of eels, which are apex predators in the Yangtze River ecosystem, actually reflects the restoration of the entire food chain.
Their presence can help control the populations of other fish species and maintain ecological balance.
Second, the observed phenomenon of eel swarms may be confined to a specific area and is not representative of the Yangtze River as a whole.
As a huge ecosystem, the Yangtze River has a strong ability to self-regulate.
The surge in eel populations is likely to be a temporary phenomenon and their numbers will gradually stabilize over time.
Nevertheless, experts also stressed the need to take some precautions.
They recommended regular monitoring of populations of eel and other fish species in order to detect potential ecological problems in a timely manner.
If an abnormal increase in the number of eel is found to be sustained, appropriate control measures may be considered.
At the same time, we need to pay close attention to the status of other species to ensure the stability of the entire ecosystem.
In the face of the challenges posed by the surge in eel populations, we should adopt a rational and scientific attitude.
On the one hand, we need to believe in nature's ability to self-regulate, giving ecosystems enough time and space to restore balance.
On the other hand, we must also remain vigilant and discover and solve possible problems in a timely manner through scientific monitoring and research.
More importantly, this phenomenon reminds us of the importance of living in harmony with nature.
The ecological protection of the Yangtze River is not only the responsibility of the government, but also the obligation of every citizen.
Each of us should establish an awareness of ecological protection and practice environmental protection in our daily life.
Information sources:
Yangtze River News - "Two-meter-long, more than 100-kilogram predatory fish gather in the Three Gorges Dam area, netizens are worried about ecological imbalance, and experts respond to it"
Upstream News - "Ecology-oriented丨Jiangsu: Protecting the Clear Water of the Yangtze River and Promoting the Ten-year Fishing Ban on the Yangtze River"