China plans to include a wild knifefish native to the Yangtze River on its list of endangered and protected species, Xinhua Daily reports.
The bureau in charge of fishing administration under the Ministry of Agriculture has solicited public opinion on increased protection for the bigmouth grenadier anchovy in China's longest river.
Once the bill is passed, catching or selling the fish will be a breach of law starting as early as next year.
Due to the likely ban, prices for the anchovy will rise sharply this year, a source told the newspaper.
Pollution and overfishing have already led to a scarcity of the wild fish.
Considered a delicacy, it is usually caught in March, but at a market in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu Province, some fish labeled bigmouth grenadier anchovies are already on sale, the report stated.