Inland fisheries development versus aquatic biodiversity conservation in China and its global implications

China is unique among nations on account of its rich aquatic biodiversity (1443 inland fish species comprising 10% of those worldwide), status as the world’s largest producer (50%) of inland fish, and recent history of significant disruption of natural ecosystems. Ecological Civilization, a policy increasingly advocated in China since 2015, provides a strong platform to protect aquatic ecosystems and restore biodiversity in inland waters. We reviewed processes, policies, and outcomes related to inland fisheries and aquatic biodiversity during the 70 years since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Particular focus was on recent transformations in inland fisheries development and protection of inland aquatic biodiversity (IAB) under the goals of China’s recent Ecological Civilization policy. We describe how Chinese inland fisheries have undergone three transformative historical phases, (1) rapid development, (2) over-exploitation, and (3) vigorous protection. A series of newly introduced policies and programs hold promise for rehabilitating IAB. Global implications are considered by comparison with many of the world’s major river basins. We highlight the challenge of balancing fisheries development with biodiversity conservation; avoiding incidental adverse effects on conservation; rationalizing development under protection; eliminating gaps between protected areas, averting extinction and restoring endangered species; and integrating protection in managing watershed ecosystems. In the context of the global decline in freshwater biodiversity, the 70 years of fisheries development and biodiversity conservation in Chinese inland waters serve as a leading example for global IAB.