In November 2018, the CBCGDF learned that China's largest natural shellfish breeding base is gradually disappearing, and volunteers approached the CBCGDF to apply for the CCAfa. After a thorough review, the CBCGDF officially established the "China Conservation Area for Shellfish at Yueqing Bay" in Yueqing City, Zhejiang Province. In the future, the Chinese Shellfish Protection Team will actively cooperate with local government departments and the community to carry out the spreading protection of beach shellfish in Yueqing Bay.
This is the 100th Chinese Protected Area since CBCGDF had established its first in April 2016, “China Conservation Area for Great Bustards at Changyuan”! In the past two years, grassroots NGOs and environmentalists across the country have actively applied for the CCAfas. The awareness of civil protection and the effect of action are gratifying! The establishment of the Chinese shellfish conservation area will promote the more effective and comprehensive protection of the CCAfas and domestic biodiversity!
Yueqing Bay has 331,000-acre near-sea mudflats. It is not only a natural pasture for shellfish farming but also an important wintering ground for the endangered migratory black-billed gull and black-faced spoonbill. It is an important part of the East Asia-Australasian Flyway.
At the same time, Yueqing Bay has the largest shellfish breeding base in China, and is known as the “First Villages of China's Shellfish”. The three shellfish products - mussels, clams and oysters occupy more than 50% of the production weight of the seedlings of the domestic market, and the village is famous as the "shellfish seedling kingdom" in East Asia!
However, in recent decades, as coastal cities have developed their industries, farmland, and disorderly farming in the tidal flats of the sea, the country’s largest shellfish seed base is acceleratingly deteriorating, and fishermen and wild birds are losing their home.
The establishment of "China Conservation Area for Shellfish at Yueqing Bay" will strive to promote the biodiversity conservation, marine ecological environment management and green sustainable development of Yueqing Bay from the aspects of scientific management, legal maintenance, publicity and education.
Mr. Wu Xinqiang, the director of this CCAfa, is a retired teacher. He is a native of Yueqing Bay. He is familiar with the natural environment, geography, history and vegetation of Yueqing Bay. He is also a trusted friend of local farms and fishermen. He is full of love for Yueqing Bay and the sea. After retirement, he actively and enthusiastically invests in the environmental protection of his hometown.
Here, CBCGDF welcomes and expects people from all walks of life to actively participate in shellfish protection, marine protection and biodiversity conservation.
(Photo source: "China Conservation Area for Shellfish at Yueqing Bay" volunteers)
Original Chinese article:
http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4855/6909.html
By / Shuya