Is it illegal to catch snails in the river?

Anyone who violates laws and regulations on the protection of aquatic resources by fishing for screws in prohibited fishing areas or seasons or using prohibited tools or methods shall constitute a crime if the circumstances are serious. In practice, illegally catching 500 kilograms of snails would be considered a crime. It is prohibited to use methods that damage fishery resources, such as fried fish, poisoned fish, electric fish, etc. for fishing. It is prohibited to manufacture, sell or use prohibited fishing gear. Fishing is prohibited in prohibited fishing areas and during closed fishing seasons. It is prohibited to fish with nets smaller than the minimum mesh size. The catch must not contain more than a specified proportion of juvenile fish.

1. Administrative regulations related to the protection of aquatic resources.

1. Regarding the scope and objects of protection. It stipulates that the broodstock, larvae, eggs, spores, etc. of aquatic animals and plants with economic value and the water environment in which they reproduce and grow must be protected, and important or valuable aquatic organisms are listed as key protection targets.

2. Regarding the principles of harvesting. It is stipulated that the catchable standards for aquatic animals should be based on the principle of reaching sexual maturity, and economic algae and freshwater edible aquatic plants should be harvested after they have grown.

3. Regarding closed fishing areas and closed fishing periods. It is required that for some important fish, shrimp and shellfish spawning grounds, wintering grounds and larval feeding grounds, no-fishing areas and no-fishing periods should be reasonably defined, and fishing operations should be completely prohibited or restricted.

4. About fishing gear and fishing methods. It is required that the minimum mesh (foil mesh) size be specified for various major fishing gears according to different fishing objects; it is strictly prohibited to fry fish, poison fish, abuse of electric power fishing, and conduct knocking operations and other behaviors that seriously damage aquatic resources.

5. Regarding the maintenance of the water environment. It is stipulated that the discharge of pollutants and wastes harmful to aquatic resources into fishery waters is prohibited; when constructing water conservancy projects, care must be taken not to damage aquatic resources.

2. Closed fishing areas and closed fishing periods

1. For some important fish, shrimp and shellfish spawning grounds, wintering grounds and larval feeding grounds, fishing bans should be reasonably stipulated Depending on the circumstances of the area and fishing ban period, all operations may be prohibited, or the types of operations and the number of fishing gear for certain operations may be restricted.

2. Any river that is a spawning and migratory channel for fish, crabs, etc. shall not block the river surface for fishing. A channel of a certain width should be left to ensure that a sufficient number of broodstock can go up or down the river to spawn and reproduce. It is also not allowed to intercept fish, crab larvae and spawning and migratory broodstock at the gate. If necessary, a fishing ban period should be set. Those who catch fish fry and crab fry for the needs of aquaculture production must obtain approval from the fisheries department of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government, and operate in designated waters and within designated hours.

3. It is prohibited to manufacture or sell substandard fishing gear.

1. Existing fishing gear and fishing methods that harm resources should be treated differently according to the degree of harm to resources. Those that are less harmful to resources should be improved in a planned and step-by-step manner. Those that seriously endanger resources should be banned or eliminated within a time limit. Before they are completely eliminated, their working places and time should be appropriately restricted.

2. Small-eye nets for catching small mature fish and shrimps are only allowed to operate in designated waters and times.

Legal basis:

"Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China"

Article 340 Violation of laws and regulations on the protection of aquatic resources, in prohibited fishing areas , fishing ban periods or using prohibited tools or methods to catch aquatic products, if the circumstances are serious, he shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention, control or a fine.