From River Boat to Boardroom: A New Chapter on the Yangtze

Chen, locally known as "San Jie," once faced a precarious life defined by dawn-to-dusk labor and declining fish stocks. The ecological collapse of the Yangtze, exacerbated by industrial pollution and overfishing, forced a reckoning for the 50 fishing families clustered at the Xuejiawa shoreline. In 2019, Anhui province initiated a resettlement program that moved families from cramped cabins into modern apartments, backed by pensions and employment support.

Moving to land was initially a source of anxiety for Chen, who feared the loss of her traditional livelihood. However, government assistance enabled her to launch the San Guniang Labor Service Company. The firm now manages local sanitation and landscaping, providing stable dividends for its members—many of whom are fellow former fishermen. The success of the business, which has distributed 900,000 yuan to its workers, highlights the broader economic shift in the region.

Beyond personal gain, the riverside landscape has undergone a radical physical recovery. The illegal docks and waste piles that once choked the banks have been cleared, replaced by an ecological park where water quality now meets consistent Class II standards. Chen, now serving as president of the Yushan Branch of the Ma'anshan Civilian Enterprise River Chief Federation, spends her days patrolling the embankments she once exploited. She views this new role as a duty to the river, fostering a culture of conservation while waiting for the 10-year fishing ban to yield a sustainable future for the next generation of local residents.