There are increased signs of worry in China’s aquaculture sector over tightening environmental rules.
In the past month, 30 illegal aquaculture sites were closed and removed from the Dongting Lake area in Hunan Province, a key region for freshwater crab and fish production.
An "Animal Husbandry Pollution Task Force" had promised to clear out “unlicensed breeding operations” – which includes pig and fish farms – by the end of October.
China’s central government has sought to reduce water pollution by shifting animal husbandry to less populous regions in the country’s north, west, and southwest. In addition, a new environmental tax on wastewater and air pollution will come into effect from 1 January.