Fisherman's Wife Leads Environmental Transformation in Zhejiang Coastal Town

A small coastal fishing community in Changtu town, Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, has seen a remarkable environmental shift, initiated by an unlikely yet determined advocate. Hu Songsu, a 60-year-old fisherman's wife, recognized the severe pollution plaguing local waters and felt compelled to act on behalf of her community.

The ocean surrounding Changtu had increasingly filled with plastic waste, harming the marine ecosystem and adversely affecting local fishermen's livelihoods. The worsening pollution led to declining water quality and reduced fish populations, severely impacting the income and lifestyle of the town's 13,000 inhabitants who rely heavily on fishing.

In 2020, Hu decided enough was enough. Having grown up in a fishing family, she deeply understood the environment's delicate balance and the direct link between a clean ocean and community prosperity. Inspired to take action, Hu initiated a campaign to collect plastic from the ocean, encouraging fishermen to bring waste found at sea safely back to shore.

To bolster the campaign, Hu enlisted other fisherwomen, known locally as "yusao," who traditionally took responsibility for tasks such as maintaining fishing safety and resolving issues among fishermen. Together, these women transformed into dedicated volunteers, championing marine conservation and changing the community's habits toward plastic waste management.

Importantly, Hu realized some plastic pollution originated from the fishermen themselves, who spent long periods at sea with scarce storage on their boats. Acknowledging these practical challenges, she engaged fishermen in finding sustainable waste storage methods, guiding them to properly collect and carry plastic waste back to land for recycling.

Their dedicated efforts proved successful. Over the course of five years, the community collected more than 110,000 plastic bottles and over 80,000 discarded boat batteries from the surrounding waters. Hu and her team also use a specialized mobile app to document the collection process, capturing vital data such as the exact location and timing for each plastic collection event.

Hu’s leadership has inspired a remarkable shift towards sustainability within the community. Today, Changtu town not only benefits from cleaner waters and healthier fishing grounds but also exemplifies a collective commitment to environmental responsibility, transforming habits and safeguarding the future of its marine-based economy.