138
1879 ), Herzenstein ( 1888 –1891), Fang ( 1935 ,
1936 ), Li ( 1966 , 1981 ), Chao et al. ( 1980 ) and
Wu and Tan ( 1991 ).
In Qinghai Province , there are 66 species
under 31 genera, 6 families and 4 orders (Wang
and Jian 1988 ). Only three of the 48 species
native to Qinghai are fi shed commercially,
whereas six of the 18 introduced species are utilised. In Xinjiang , there are 90 species under 55
genera, 20 families and 8 orders (Liu et al. 1989 ),
of which 50 species are native and 20 (8 native
and 12 exotic species) are commercially important. In Xizang , there are 56 species under 21
genera, 4 families and 2 orders, of which 10 species (all native) are economically valuable.
The fauna of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau is
broadly like that of Xinjiang and includes 112
native and 17 introduced species (Wu and Tan
1991 ). The native species are a relic of mass
extinctions in the Quaternary, when uplift of the
Himalayas transformed the prevailing low- altitude
tropical or subtropical conditions to the present
cold, arid, high-altitude climate ( Wu and Chen
1980 ; Chen 1982 ; Wu and Tan 1991 ). Several species of loach (Cobitidae: Nemacheilinae) are
endemic to the plateau (Wu and Tan 1991 ).
Members of the subfamily Schizothoracinae
(naked carp or ‘snow trout’) are an evolutionary
offshoot of the Cyprinidae. Some schizothoracines
are endemic to the region.
Historical Development of Fisheries
Fisheries have been established in western China
since >40 years. But they contribute <0.2 % of
regional aquacultural production (Wang 1987 ;
Liu et al . 1989 ), owing to small markets and poor
economic conditions. The local people traditionally eat mutton and beef, and the Tibetans in particular, are reluctant to eat fi sh, because they
have religious signifi cance. Before 1958, aquaculture was non-existent and activities were confi ned to artisanal and part-time fi shing using
simple gear. Over the past three decades, however, immigrations of Han people from other
parts of China have provided a strong stimulus
for fi shery development.
However, since 1958–1970, large-scale fi shing commenced in Qinghai Lake , Bosten Lake ,
Ulungur Lake and Yamdrok Lake (Li 1959 ; Chen
1962 ; Yue and Huan 1964 ; Liao 1965 ; Liu 1985 ;
Liu et al . 1989 ). Yields increased markedly, and
in 1960, the Qinghai Lake naked carp fi shery
produced a record catch of >28,000 t (Wang
1987 ; Walker et al. 1996 ). However, since 1978,
management and planning have become a normal part of fi shery operations, and there has
been a growing emphasis on aquaculture, particularly in Xinjiang.
Capture Fisheries
Capture fi sheries in a number of lakes and rivers
have played a key role in the supply of local fi sh
protein in the past four decades.
Lake Fisheries
The Qinghai–Xizang Plateau includes many
lakes (Wang 1987 ), most of them with only one
or two commercial fi sh species.
Aquaculture Development
Aquaculture has become established in western
China only in the past 10 years. Aquaculture production was 6,855 t in Xinjiang, in 1986 (Liu et al .
1989 ), and 208 t in Qinghai in 1986, but Aquaculture
had not been much signifi cant in Xizang.
Extensive Aquaculture
The so-called extensive aquaculture utilises both
natural lakes and reservoirs as habitats for stocking with a variety of species. Many dams and
other regulating structures have been constructed
throughout western China in recent decades,
although most of them have been designed to
meet irrigation needs, and aquaculture developments have been only incidental.
Nevertheless, the province of Xinjiang , possibly, provides the most suitable environment for
aquaculture. There have been 12 large, 85
medium and 382 small reservoirs (total 53,300 ha,
5.57 km
3
) in this region. The total yield from the
province attained 1,000 t in 1966 (having been
interrupted for a decade by political instability)
and rose to 1,360, 3,479 and 6,000 t in 1978,
1982 and 1990, respectively. One-third of
Xinjiang’s total aquaculture production is from
reservoir fi sheries. One operational constraint is
6 Lakes of the World
1879 ), Herzenstein ( 1888 –1891), Fang ( 1935 ,
1936 ), Li ( 1966 , 1981 ), Chao et al. ( 1980 ) and
Wu and Tan ( 1991 ).
In Qinghai Province , there are 66 species
under 31 genera, 6 families and 4 orders (Wang
and Jian 1988 ). Only three of the 48 species
native to Qinghai are fi shed commercially,
whereas six of the 18 introduced species are utilised. In Xinjiang , there are 90 species under 55
genera, 20 families and 8 orders (Liu et al. 1989 ),
of which 50 species are native and 20 (8 native
and 12 exotic species) are commercially important. In Xizang , there are 56 species under 21
genera, 4 families and 2 orders, of which 10 species (all native) are economically valuable.
The fauna of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau is
broadly like that of Xinjiang and includes 112
native and 17 introduced species (Wu and Tan
1991 ). The native species are a relic of mass
extinctions in the Quaternary, when uplift of the
Himalayas transformed the prevailing low- altitude
tropical or subtropical conditions to the present
cold, arid, high-altitude climate ( Wu and Chen
1980 ; Chen 1982 ; Wu and Tan 1991 ). Several species of loach (Cobitidae: Nemacheilinae) are
endemic to the plateau (Wu and Tan 1991 ).
Members of the subfamily Schizothoracinae
(naked carp or ‘snow trout’) are an evolutionary
offshoot of the Cyprinidae. Some schizothoracines
are endemic to the region.
Historical Development of Fisheries
Fisheries have been established in western China
since >40 years. But they contribute <0.2 % of
regional aquacultural production (Wang 1987 ;
Liu et al . 1989 ), owing to small markets and poor
economic conditions. The local people traditionally eat mutton and beef, and the Tibetans in particular, are reluctant to eat fi sh, because they
have religious signifi cance. Before 1958, aquaculture was non-existent and activities were confi ned to artisanal and part-time fi shing using
simple gear. Over the past three decades, however, immigrations of Han people from other
parts of China have provided a strong stimulus
for fi shery development.
However, since 1958–1970, large-scale fi shing commenced in Qinghai Lake , Bosten Lake ,
Ulungur Lake and Yamdrok Lake (Li 1959 ; Chen
1962 ; Yue and Huan 1964 ; Liao 1965 ; Liu 1985 ;
Liu et al . 1989 ). Yields increased markedly, and
in 1960, the Qinghai Lake naked carp fi shery
produced a record catch of >28,000 t (Wang
1987 ; Walker et al. 1996 ). However, since 1978,
management and planning have become a normal part of fi shery operations, and there has
been a growing emphasis on aquaculture, particularly in Xinjiang.
Capture Fisheries
Capture fi sheries in a number of lakes and rivers
have played a key role in the supply of local fi sh
protein in the past four decades.
Lake Fisheries
The Qinghai–Xizang Plateau includes many
lakes (Wang 1987 ), most of them with only one
or two commercial fi sh species.
Aquaculture Development
Aquaculture has become established in western
China only in the past 10 years. Aquaculture production was 6,855 t in Xinjiang, in 1986 (Liu et al .
1989 ), and 208 t in Qinghai in 1986, but Aquaculture
had not been much signifi cant in Xizang.
Extensive Aquaculture
The so-called extensive aquaculture utilises both
natural lakes and reservoirs as habitats for stocking with a variety of species. Many dams and
other regulating structures have been constructed
throughout western China in recent decades,
although most of them have been designed to
meet irrigation needs, and aquaculture developments have been only incidental.
Nevertheless, the province of Xinjiang , possibly, provides the most suitable environment for
aquaculture. There have been 12 large, 85
medium and 382 small reservoirs (total 53,300 ha,
5.57 km
3
) in this region. The total yield from the
province attained 1,000 t in 1966 (having been
interrupted for a decade by political instability)
and rose to 1,360, 3,479 and 6,000 t in 1978,
1982 and 1990, respectively. One-third of
Xinjiang’s total aquaculture production is from
reservoir fi sheries. One operational constraint is
6 Lakes of the World