Three Generations of River Guardians: The Fishery Protection Relay Along the Heilongjiang River
Along the banks of the Heilongjiang River — the boundary waterway between China and Russia — a remarkable story of intergenerational dedication is unfolding. Three generations of one family have devoted their lives to protecting the river’s fishery resources, patrolling day and night during the annual 35-day summer fishing moratorium. At the heart of this story is Zheng Yang, a deputy director of the Wuyun Border Police Station in Jiayin County, Heilongjiang Province, whose grandfather and father both served as border guardians before him, according to CCTV News.
A Family Legacy of River Protection
Zheng Yang’s grandfather, Zheng Fugui, was a first-generation militia member who long guarded the border river. His father then took up the baton, becoming the area’s first official border guard, patrolling the riverbanks year-round through harsh winters and sweltering summers. Now, Zheng Yang has fulfilled his dream of donning the police uniform and continuing the family tradition as a border police officer.
“The direction the grass is bent indicates that suspicious persons or wild animals have passed through,” Zheng Yang explained during a routine patrol. “During our daily patrols, this is a key area we inspect.” These practical skills — knowing which season produces which fish, which river branches and shoals might hide illegal boats — were lessons Zheng Yang learned from his father since childhood.
Protecting Fish During Critical Breeding Season
From June 11 to July 15 each year, the Heilongjiang and Wusuli Rivers enter a 35-day summer fishing moratorium designed to protect fish stocks during their critical breeding period. The moratorium specifically protects economically and ecologically important species including sturgeon, chum salmon, and taimen.
“This is currently the critical breeding period for Heilongjiang’s sturgeon, chum salmon, taimen and other fish species,” said Li Yujie, instructor of the Sijiazi Border Police Station, as reported by China Youth Net. “Apart from recreational angling, all fishing methods are prohibited.”
Across the Heihe, Sunwu, and Xunke sections of the Heilongjiang River, a total of 335 fishing boats were stopped from fishing, with border police assisting fishermen in hauling boats ashore, dismantling equipment, and securing nets before the moratorium began.
Enforcement and Results
Wuyun Town, where Zheng Yang serves, operates 24 fishing boats along the border river. During the moratorium, border police intensify patrols, including overnight surveillance operations, to prevent illegal fishing and cross-border activity.
Since joining the force, Zheng Yang has captured more than 30 illegal fishermen and seized over 20 illegal boats. His jurisdiction has recorded 14 consecutive years without any foreign-related incidents — a testament to the effectiveness of the family’s approach to border and fishery protection.
In the broader Heihe region this year, border authorities have handled three border violation cases involving three individuals, confiscated three unlicensed boats, and seized more than 1,620 meters of illegal fishing nets.
Dual Purpose: Conservation and Border Security
The Heilongjiang River fishing moratorium serves a dual purpose. Environmentally, it allows fish stocks to recover and reproduce during their most vulnerable period. From a border security perspective, it prevents illegal cross-border activities that might be concealed under the cover of fishing operations.
The story of three generations protecting the river reflects a broader narrative in China about grassroots environmental protection and intergenerational commitment. It aligns with the national “Ecological Civilization” framework, which emphasizes environmental protection as a key policy direction, and resonates with traditional Chinese values of family legacy and service to the nation.
What’s Next
As the 35-day moratorium continues through mid-July, Zheng Yang and his colleagues will maintain their round-the-clock patrols. The family’s relay of conservation efforts shows no signs of stopping — Zheng Yang’s own children are growing up along the river, learning the same skills their father and grandfather learned before them.
The Heilongjiang River’s fish populations, including the ancient sturgeon and migratory salmon species, continue to benefit from these dedicated protection efforts. For the Zheng family, guarding the river is not just a job — it is a calling passed down through generations.