China News Service, Beijing, August 3 (Reporter Zhang Ziyang) The reporter learned from the Ministry of Public Security of China on the 3rd that since the Ministry of Public Security deployed a special operation against illegal fishing in the Yangtze River Basin, as of the end of July, more than 2,480 criminal cases of illegal fishing have been detected. More than 2,680 suspects were arrested, and more than 1,040 ships involved in the case were seized.

  It is known that the Ministry of Public Security attaches great importance to the prohibition of fishing in the Yangtze River Basin, and has established a leading group and a special work team to promote the in-depth development of the three-year special operation against illegal fishing crimes in the Yangtze River Basin.

  Public security agencies at all levels along the Yangtze River immediately launched special investigations on key criminal cases, especially suspected organized and ganged criminal clues, to destroy criminal networks and dens throughout the chain, and resolutely cut off the illegal fishing underground industry chain. As of the end of July, more than 2,480 illegal fishing cases have been detected, more than 2,680 suspects have been arrested, more than 1,040 vessels involved, 2,290 sets of illegal fishing equipment, and more than 5,200 kilograms of fish caught have been seized. Among them, the Zhenjiang Branch of the Yangtze River Shipping Public Security Bureau recently detected a case of illegal fishing of aquatic products, destroyed 2 criminal gangs, and arrested 12 gang members.

  According to the police, illegal fishing crimes are distributed in multiple locations in the Yangtze River Basin. In order to evade investigation and punishment, criminals often commit crimes at night. Most of their fishing locations choose to be in remote areas, and they are mainly located in hidden riverside beaches and Jiangxin islands or shallow waters and rivers that cannot be reached by law enforcement ships. Most lawbreakers drive self-use boats loaded with engines, "three-no ships", and simple rafts, and use tools such as "extreme household nets" and portable electric fishing equipment to commit crimes, seriously damaging the fishery resources of the Yangtze River.

  The relevant person in charge of the Ministry of Public Security stated that the police will severely crack down on illegal fishing crimes in the Yangtze River basin in accordance with the law, resolutely curb illegal fishing criminal activities in the Yangtze River basin, resolutely cut off the underground industrial chain of illegal fishing, transportation, and operation, and completely eradicate the soil for such illegal crimes. (Finish)