In the Yangtze River area, the ban will last for three months, despite some ecologists claiming the annual move - in place since 2002 - had done little to improve the longest river in Asia's ecosystem, or the wildlife in its surrounding areas.

Local authorities have been promoting the ban since late last month, raising awareness among fishermen.

They are ready to send inspection teams to make sure the ban, which will affect about 140,000 fishermen in 10 cities and provinces along a 120-km section of the river, is strictly carried out.

Contact the writers at qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn and wangzhenghua@ chinadaily.com.cn