BEIJING - China will ban fishing in the Yellow River, the second longest river in the country, between Apr 1 and Jun 30 each year starting from 2018, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

The fishing ban aims to protect aquatic organism resources and biodiversity as excessive fishing threatens fishery resources.

It will cover the main stream, three major lakes, and 13 tributaries linked to the Yellow River, the ministry said in a statement.

Fishing for scientific studies, taming and breeding purposes during the ban period should be approved by authorities of provincial or higher levels.

Provinces and autonomous regions can extend the fishing ban according to local needs, according to the ministry.

China has already imposed a fishing ban along the Yangtze River, the longest river in the country. The annual ban, which runs from Mar 1 to Jun 30, covers the spawning season for most of the river's aquatic life. It includes the entire river as well as key tributaries and lakes.

A similar fishing ban has also applied to the Huaihe River, which runs almost parallel between the Yangtze River and the Yellow River.