To implement the Protocol Between China and Russia on Cooperation in the Protection, Adjustment and Proliferation of Fishery Resources in Border Waters of the Heilongjiang River and Ussuri River, and to jointly conserve fishery resources in the China–Russia border waters, the 2026 China–Russia Joint Fish Release for Stock Enhancement in the Border Waters was held in Tongjiang, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province, on July 14.  

During this year’s event, China released into the Heilongjiang River 200 large-sized Amur sturgeon, 480,000 fry of kaluga and Amur sturgeon measuring over 5 cm, and 5.2 million fry of commercially important species, including silver carp and grass carp. Fluorescent implant tagging and other technologies were used to track and monitor the sturgeon fry in order to scientifically assess the effectiveness of the release. Since 2008, China and Russia have carried out 18 joint fish release events in their border waters, releasing a total of more than 20 million sturgeon fry into the Heilongjiang River and Ussuri River. These efforts have played a positive role in maintaining biodiversity in the border waters. In addition, the two sides have conducted 27 joint law enforcement inspections in the border waters, and the order in fishing activities has continued to improve.  

Moving forward, China and Russia will continue to conserve fishery resources in the border waters by optimizing release locations and improving release effectiveness; strengthen law enforcement cooperation to crack down on illegal fishing and other activities that damage fishery resources, and maintain order in border-water fishing activities; and deepen cooperation in marine fishery and technical exchanges, all with a view to promoting sustainable development of China–Russia fisheries.  

Representatives from relevant departments of China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the People’s Government of Heilongjiang Province, along with representatives of the Embassy of Russia in China, attended the event.