An elderly fisherman in Xuancheng, Anhui, caught a 27-pound wuchang fish (snakehead) in a pond. Villagers helped land it, and police seized the fish to investigate its origin and legality.

Social Context

Snakeheads are invasive species regulated under China’s Biosecurity Law (2021): possession without permits violates Article 60, carrying fines up to ¥100,000. Legal fishing requires licenses and adherence to seasonal bans—many rural anglers remain unaware of updated restrictions on native predator species.

Safety Tip

Verify species legality via the Ministry of Agriculture’s ‘Fishery Species Database’ before keeping or releasing catches; photograph and report unlicensed large specimens to local fisheries authorities.