The Haimen 17086, a fishing vessel, caught a Chinese sturgeon near Liya Mountain in Haimen district, Nantong, on Dec 31, 2024.

The fish, measuring about 1.3 meters in length and 22.5 kilograms in weight, was released back into the sea under the guidance of the Haimen agricultural department.

The Chinese sturgeon, often called the "panda of the water", is a critically endangered species and a national-level first-class protected animal in China. Known for its long lifespan of up to 40 years, the species is susceptible to water quality. It primarily inhabits the Yangtze River and Jinsha River downstream to the estuary and feeds on other aquatic creatures.

This marks the first sighting of a Chinese sturgeon in Haimen's coastal waters in recent years, highlighting the significant improvement in the region's marine ecology. In recent years, Haimen has made strides in developing its marine economy while strengthening efforts to protect its coastal ecosystems. These initiatives have resulted in noticeable improvements in water quality, leading to the reappearance of protected species such as dolphins, Chinese horseshoe crabs, and now, the Chinese sturgeon.

The Chinese sturgeon is released back into the sea by a fisherman. [Photo/ntjoy.com]