New path

Unlike Tang and Liang, former fisher Wang Mingjun chose an entirely different career path — running a homestay.

The 42-year-old is satisfied with his new profession — he now earns around 120,000 to 130,000 yuan a year, far more than in the past, and with much less effort.

"Life as a fisherman meant working through wind and rain. It was exhausting," Wang said.

In the second half of 2019, when Yibin's Cuiping district took the lead in Sichuan in helping fishers move ashore, he was among the first to quit fishing.

With cash compensation and a subsidized startup loan, Wang transformed his residence in Yongsheng village in Yibin's Lizhuang township into a homestay.

His homestay sits on a small hill 300 meters from the Yangtze, offering sweeping views of the waterway from its courtyard. At the foot of the hill is a road to Lizhuang ancient town, one of Yibin's most popular tourist attractions.

"With the Yangtze put under protection and the nearby Lizhuang ancient town undergoing development, an increasing number of visitors are sure to come," Wang said.

He credits his newfound success in this unfamiliar industry to the free homestay operation and management training provided by the local government.

"I attended a 20-day training program, from guest services to room maintenance and interior decoration, all completely free of charge," he said.

Wang said his homestay typically hosts about two groups of guests a week during off-peak periods. However, as holidays approach, his phone rings off the hook with booking requests.

In Yongsheng village, eight other homestays are currently in operation.

Cuan Zongqiang, Party chief of Lizhuang, said that while enforcing the fishing ban, the town has strengthened riverbank protection and its sewage treatment capacity.

"These efforts created opportunities for former fishers and other local residents to develop tourism-related businesses," he said.

Lizhuang ancient town has seen a sharp rise in visitors in recent years, Cuan said.

Last year, it received nearly 5 million visits, up 50 percent year-on-year, with tourism revenue reaching 400 million yuan.

"Practice has proven that ecological conservation is never a burden, but a new path for economic growth," he said. "This has further strengthened our resolve to protect the Yangtze."

pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn