On 28 March, 2019, a grand event 2019 Anti-Electric Fishing Convention co-organized by China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) FDY Fish Protection Center (see details: http://www.cbcgdf.org/English/NewsShow/5000/6582.html) will be held in Beijing.

Here is the provisional program of the convention.

2019 Anti-Electric Fishing Convention (Beijing)

Provisional Program

1.      The Background of the Convention:

The Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) will be held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China in late 2020, and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework will be born. The Anti-Electric Fishing model is an excellent example of China's biodiversity conservation and water conservation of aquatic organisms, reflecting “civil/government/enterprise/multi-stakeholder” efforts and achievements in biodiversity conservation. It also demonstrates the advantages of modern technology, such as big data, in the fields of nature conservation and mainstreaming biodiversity.

With the economic development of society, human beings have accelerated the process of over-exploitation of natural resources, natural resources have been exhausted, and more and more species are becoming extinct. The ecological environment on which human survival and development depend is being severely tested. One of the most harmful factors to the ecological environment of the waters is illegal fishing, such as “electric fishing”, “poisonous fishing” and “explosive fishing”.

Relevant government departments in China attach great importance to combating illegal fishing. The State Council has issued documents that the biodiversity of the Yangtze River in China is currently declining, the protection of aquatic organisms is severe, and the task of repairing aquatic ecosystems is arduous. In particular, it is mentioned that it is necessary to crack down on illegal fishing practices, encourage enterprises and the public to support the cause of Yangtze River aquatic life conservation, and improve the institutional mechanisms for multi-agent participation, diversified financing, and precise investment.

In October 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs issued a notice deciding to launch a special enforcement operation against electric fishing activities nationwide from now until November 2019. It is hoped that by the end of the operation, the frequent occurrence of electric fishing activities in various places will be effectively curbed. The social organizations that demand anti-electric fishing play a role in promoting a good social situation in which the government-led, social organizations and fishermen’s civil participation jointly to combat the electric fishing.

In order to strengthen the results of anti-electric fishing and better protect aquatic living resources, the huge anti-electric fishing volunteer team under China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) needs more public participation.

2. The Aims of the Convention:

(1)   Explore new ways and new directions for the effective protection of aquatic living resources by the government, social organizations and the public in the new situation, and promote the participation of all sectors of society in biodiversity conservation.

(2) Test the use of information networks to establish a big data platform, providing support for relevant government departments to analyze, research and judge, and make decisions to combat illegal fishing.

(3) Exchange analysis and recommendations in the field of aquatic biological resources protection.

(4) Explore the sustainable development of corporate social responsibility and fisheries.

3.      The Theme of the Convention:

Participation of all people,

Opposition to electric fishing,

Protection of aquatic resources

4.      Time and Venue of the Convention:

Time: March 28, 2019, 8.30 – 18.00

Venue: Beijing Qiaoyuan Hotel

Address: 6 East Kaiyang Road (Kaiyang Dong Lu)(6), Fengtai District, Beijing, China

   北京侨园饭店（北京市丰台区右安门外开阳桥东路6号）

       (Website: http://www.beijingqiaoyuanhotel.com/contact_us/)

Convention working team contact number: 010-88431370

5.      Organizers and Partners:

(1)   Organizers:

China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) FDY Fish Protection Center;

Flowing Creek and River Environmental Protection Public Welfare Center, Zigong City, Sichuan Province.

(2)   Co-Organizers:

Hubei Loonva Fishing Tackle Group

Shenzhen Zhongheng Yiyuan Investment Management Co., Ltd.

(3)   Support Units:

China Society of Fisheries

China Recreational Angling Association

China Culture and Education Sporting Goods Association

China Fishing Club Union

6.      The Guests of the Convention:

Mr. Hu Deping, the Chairman of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) (TBC)

Head of the Bureau of Fisheries Administration Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

   Head of the Yangtze River Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (TBC)

   Head of Ecological Terminus Resource Protection Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (TBC)

   Head of National Aquatic Technology Extension Terminus Resource Conservation Office

   Offcial from the FAO of the UN (TBC)

   Official from the UNEP (TBC)

Head of China Recreational Angling Association (TBC)

   Head of China Angling Association (TBC)

Mr. Zhou Wenping, President of Hubei Loonva Fishing Tackle Group

Mr. Rui Feng, Shenzhen Zhongheng Yiyuan Investment Management Co., Ltd.

Yan Liping, Researcher of East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences

Dr. Yue Hao, Senior fishery manager of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

7.      Draft Agenda:

8.30 – 9.00 Registration

9.00 – 9.15 Welcoming speech by Mr. Hu Deping, the Chairman of CBCGDF (TBC)

9.15 – 9.50 Speeches

 by Guests including: Heads from relevant government departments and co-organizers

                   Mr. Zhu Kai, Director of CBCGDF FDY Fish Protection Center

10.00 – 10.30 Guests speeches, including representatives from relevant government departments in Chongqing, Sichuan Province / E-commerce platforms

10.30 – 10.50 Tea-Break (Group Photo Shoot)

10.50 – 12.00 Organized events:

           Including Releasing ceremony of the Application of Anti-Electric Fishing (App) “RiverEye”

Guests speeches, including representatives from relevant government departments in Zigong City, Sichuan Province

12.00 – 14.00 Lunch Break

14.00 – 15.00 Panel Discussion: Government, enterprises and social organizations work together to protect aquatic living resources

15.00 – 15.40 Panel Discussion: Opportunities and challenges faced by fishery resources and aquatic ecosystem protection

15.40 – 15.50 Tea Break

15.50 – 16.00 Panel Discussion: Social organizations and fishery departments work together to combat illegal fishing

16.30 – 17.00 Panel Discussion: Combating Illegal Fishing Front Line Operations Sharing (With Directors from different working stations of CBCGDF FDY Fish Protection Center distributed in China)

17.00 – 17.05 Speech by Yu Haoyang, Actor, Public welfare image ambassador of CBCGDF FDY Fish Protection Center

17.05 – 17.35 Organized Events:

           Including working stations / individuals award ceremony, etc.

17.35 – 17.45 CBCGDF Anti-Electric Fishing Special fund announced

18.00 Dinner party

Support Media

CCTV, xinhuanet.com, China Daily, bjnews.com.cn, thepaper.cn, Global Times,

ifeng.com, China Fishing Magazine, Hunan TV Happy Fishing Program

(Photo credit: CBCGDF）

By / Niu Jingmei