The reappearance of the Yellow River knife-fish at the estuary of the Yellow River in Shandong province is an indication that the natural environment in the area has significantly improved, according to local authorities.

The fish was last spotted in the area 30 years ago.

The Yellow River knife-fish is a rare fish that grows in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Due to the river runoff and artificial fishing, the population of knife-fish has been steadily declining since the 1990s.

Dongying, which is situated where the Yellow River flows into the Bohai Sea, has in recent years taken major steps to preserve the ecology of the wetlands and the biodiversity in the Yellow River Delta region.

One of the measures taken is increasing funds to support ecological restoration projects regarding water supplements, cordgrass treatment, and offshore biodiversity conservation.

A state-of-the-art ecological monitoring center for the Yellow River Delta has also been established to manage data related to meteorology, water, quality, soil, and marine.

In addition, authorities have placed a strong emphasis on protecting habitats for key species such as cranes, black-billed gulls, and Oriental white storks, as well as preserving native flora like wild soybeans and restoring aquatic life to increase biodiversity levels.

The improvements to the ecosystem have resulted in a growing number of wild animals taking shelter in the city. Presently, 1,145 wild plant species, 989 species of terrestrial wild animals, and 547 species of marine organisms can be found in the city.

The city has also implemented street greening projects, built more recreational parks, and promoted sustainable practices such as the use of energy-efficient technologies to improve its urban living environment.

Statistics show that the concentration of PM2.5 — particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less — in the city dropped 33 mg per cubic meter in 2022, a reduction of nearly 8.3 percent year-on-year.

This year, Dongying will further enhance efforts to tackle carbon emissions, develop green resources and improve the ecological protection of the Yellow River Delta, said Chen Yunlong, director of the Dongying municipal bureau of ecology and environment.