Retired fishermen join non-profit organization to protect finless porpoise

More than 100 retired Yichang fishermen have found a new purpose in life: protecting the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise.

In April 2017, an Yichang volunteer called Liu Min decided to set up a non-profit environmental organization called the Yichang Rice Straw Circle. In July 2018, her volunteers launched a project with the local fishery administration to protect the endangered species.

After recruiting retired fishermen for their patrols, project volunteers began carrying out inspections to halt illegal fishing, electric fishing and cyanide fishing within 60 kilometers of the Gezhou Dam in the Yichang section of the Yangtze River.

The Rice Straw Circle patrols check on the finless porpoise at least three times a week. They also respond to reports of illegal fishing.

The group’s membership has expanded, and now Yichang has its own patrol team of more than 100 retired fishermen.