Incidental civil public interest litigation to the criminal action against eight defendants including Huang * Hui, Chen * et al. for illegal fishing of aquatic products

Eight defendants repeatedly used prohibited electric grids and nets to illegally fish in protected waters of East Dongting Lake, a key Yangtze River ecological zone. Their actions caused significant ecological damage, reducing fish populations and affecting species reproduction in a protected reserve. The procuratorate filed both criminal charges and civil public-interest claims. The court organized mediation, requiring the defendants to carry out ecological restoration by releasing legally approved fry, paying appraisal fees, and issuing a public apology. After restoration completion, the court imposed prison terms or detention, fines, and confiscated illegal gains. The case affirms criminal-civil linkage for ecological protection and the use of supervised compensatory fish stocking as a remedy.