Recently, due to reduced rainfall and other climatic factors, the water level of Poyang Lake in the Nanchang section of Jiangxi has significantly dropped. As the water recedes, a large number of fish have become stranded in shallow areas or depressions, unable to swim back to deeper waters.

Upon discovering this situation, some local villagers went to the shores of Poyang Lake to collect the stranded fish, with some even selling them at local markets.

Officials from the Fisheries and Fishery Administration Department of Jiangxi Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs have explicitly stated that the sale of wild fish from Poyang Lake is strictly prohibited. If confirmed by the police, violators will face serious consequences.

The official further explained that these stranded fish may die due to prolonged lack of water and oxygen or may carry silt and other contaminants, making their hygiene questionable. Villagers are advised not to collect or consume the stranded fish to avoid potential health risks. Additionally, the process of collecting fish also poses safety hazards.

The Fisheries Administration has been monitoring the situation and informing local departments to handle the stranded fish. However, given the vast size of Poyang Lake, transporting the fish back to deeper waters remains a significant challenge. Despite these difficulties, authorities are making efforts to minimise fish mortality.

Poyang Lake is China's largest freshwater lake and has seasonal water level fluctuations. Every year, from late autumn to mid-spring, the lake enters its dry season, reducing its surface area to about one-tenth of its size during the flood season. Rapid drops in water levels during this period often lead to fish becoming stranded.