In 2007, with support from relevant authorities, the institute began conducting regular annual releases of artificially bred Yangtze sturgeon into the river.

In 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs launched an action plan for Yangtze sturgeon conservation. Since then, the institute has released between 10,000 and 100,000 sturgeon fry annually.

In 2020, China began a decade-long fishing moratorium in 332 conservation areas along the 6,300-kilometer Yangtze, a measure Zhou believes provides an excellent opportunity for the recovery of fish populations.

"Restoring the wild population of the Yangtze sturgeon is now only a matter of time," Zhou said. "Over the next five to 10 years, we will collaborate with more research institutions to achieve the species' natural reproduction and sustainable survival."