Villagers of Zhongyang village in Hai'an catch the fish they cultivated in the river to celebrate the forthcoming New Year's Day. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

After winter solstice, the 22nd solar term of the year, the villagers of Zhongyang village in Hai'an, a county-level city of Nantong, prepared to cast their nets to catch the fish in the river in celebration of the forthcoming New Year's Day.

On Dec 23, a team consisting of volunteers began fishing from two small boats. The fish they caught were like a bunch of grapes, abundant and full of life. They were weighed and given to the villagers.

Fish in Chinese culture symbolize wealth and good luck. So villagers were happy to get such a gift just before the New Year.

The river in Zhongyang village used to be covered by aquatic weeds and floating objects due to poor management and severe pollution. In recent years, the village has striven to improve the living environment, and has dredged the river and widened its banks.

Villagers on both sides of the river voluntarily raised funds to buy fry for stocking, took charge of the sanitation and cleaning of the river and prohibited illegal fishing behavior.

The new mode integrates fish farming and environmental protection, bringing additional benefits to the villagers.