Jailed for more than 3 years for catching a half-pound fish

The small fish the man caught is on the list of rare animals that need protection.

Li Licai and his friend Tang Yongxiang were arrested by Chinese police earlier this year while fishing with electric shocks on the Yangtze River in Luzhou city, Sichuan province, SCMP reported.

Among the 7 kg of fish that Li and Tang caught was a 50 gram Yangtze Tiger, which is listed as a rare and protected species in China. On November 17, a local court found Li guilty of hunting and killing the endangered wild animal.

The Yangtze Tiger fish was among the 7 kg of fish that Li and Tang caught. Photo: SCMP

Because Li had been previously convicted and was still on probation, the court sentenced him to three years and two months in prison. Tang was also sentenced to seven months in prison for the same crime. They were also each fined 2,000 yuan (US$295).

Under Chinese law, killing rare or endangered animals can result in up to 10 years in prison.

The Yangtze Tiger Shark, also known as the Chinese Shark, is listed as a protected species because its population has declined significantly due to pollution, overfishing and dam construction. The fish resembles a shark and is popular among aquarium keepers.

Yangtze Tiger Shark, also known as Chinese Shark

Electrocution fishing, which uses two electrodes to generate an underwater electrical current to shock and paralyze fish, is also illegal.

According to ngoisao.net