A seven-month fishing moratorium at Taihu Lake, China's third largest freshwater lake, started on Feb 1. All fishing activities and similar actions that may threaten fish and lake environment will be banned during the moratorium, said officials at the agricultural and forestry bureau of BInhu district, Wuxi.

Meanwhile, the district's fishery authorities will enhance the monitoring of illegal fishing activities including confiscating illegal fishing equipment and maintaining patrol vessels in the lake.