Spatial Distribution, Influencing Factors and Sustainable Development of Fishery Cultural Resources in the Yangtze River Basin

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The topic is interesting.The study is well written and easy to understand. Sometimes it is too long. The paper sometimes is rather repetitive; there are a lot of punctuation errors.

Abstract: it is too long. Keywords: change the words just used in the title of the article (e.g. Yangtze River basin; fishery cultural resources; spatial distribution).The authors should clearly articulate the theoretical contributions of the study, also to the field of the intangible cultural heritage (also refers to UNESCO).

Introduction: I recommend that the author/s rework the literature review in one specific subsection of the Introduction. You should reference past studies and clearly outline the constructs and relevance of the study.

Conclusion: More comparison to the previous reviews articles on argument is needed.The paper lack of an “added value”.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The communication is clear; punctuation errors. The authors pay  attention to the use of various jargons, acronyms and sentence structure and technical language in the paper. 

Author Response

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The topic is interesting. The study is well written and easy to understand. Sometimes it is too long. The paper sometimes is rather repetitive; there are a lot of punctuation errors.

Abstract: it is too long. Keywords: change the words just used in the title of the article (e.g. Yangtze River basin; fishery cultural resources; spatial distribution).

The authors should clearly articulate the theoretical contributions of the study, also to the field of the intangible cultural heritage (also refers to UNESCO).

Introduction: I recommend that the author/s rework the literature review in one specific subsection of the Introduction. You should reference past studies and clearly outline the constructs and relevance of the study.

Conclusion: More comparison to the previous reviews articles on argument is needed. The paper lack of an “added value”.

 

Response 1:

Thank you for the comment and kind suggestion.

1) We have revised and condensed the abstract and updated the keywords accordingly.

2) The introduction has been reorganized to enhance the clarity and structure of the manuscript, making the content clearer. Additionally, we have adjusted the organization and structure of “Introduction” and “Discussion” sections appropriately. We have also added an comparisons with previous review articles in the discussion section.

This study contributes to an empirical discussion of relationality analysis between cultural heritage and rural development through the specific case of fishery culture in the Yangtze River Basin, providing theoretical and practical pathways for leveraging fishery culture to promote rural revitalization.

3) We have optimized the research methods and results. We have analyzed the spatial distribution of fishery cultural resources, added an evaluation of the significance of different categories and identified the significant categories, examined factors influencing the distribution and development of fishery culture. Furthermore, the study discussed the evolution of fishery cultural resources' characteristics, their role on rural revitalization and proposed strategies and policy recommendations for the preservation of resources, despite the current near absence of research on the Yangtze River fishery culture. These revisions aim to enhance the persuasiveness and value of the manuscript.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The communication is clear; punctuation errors. The authors pay attention to the use of various jargons, acronyms and sentence structure and technical language in the paper.

Response 2:

Thank you for the comment and kind suggestion.

We have simplified some complex language, reduced dense jargons and acronyms related to fishery culture in the manuscript, made several English language corrections and completed an English language editing.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Please see attached review report. 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Author Response

Response letter to the reviewers' comments

Reviewer 2:

This research revolves around the preservation and sustainable development of Yangtze River fishery cultural heritage as a catalyst for rural revitalization and governance transformation. It emphasizes the intricate relationship between humans and nature within the context of traditional fishing communities. Despite challenges such as modernization and environmental pressures, the preservation of fishery cultural heritage not only supports ecological conservation but also strengthens community identity and social stability. Integrating interdisciplinary approaches, scientific planning, and community participation are crucial for safeguarding these cultural resources while promoting their economic and social benefits in the context of rural revitalization efforts. This holistic approach underscores the importance of balancing conservation with development to ensure the sustainability and continuity of both cultural and natural landscapes in fishing villages along the Yangtze River.

Comments 1:

The research aims to accomplish the following objectives:

• Examine clustering of fishery cultural resources in specific regions of the Yangtze River Basin.––accomplished
• Analyze factors (natural, socio-economic, and historical-cultural) affecting the distribution and evolution of these resources.––accomplished.
• Study the historical development of fishery cultural resources--accomplished.
• Assess the significance of various categories like fishery dances, poetry, and culinary tradition.––partially accomplished.
• Propose protection strategies including surveys, preservation methods, innovative interpretations, legal improvements, and social participation—Partially accomplished.
• Highlight the role of these resources in rural revitalization, governance, and sustainable development.––partially accomplished.
• Provide governance insights for fishing villages and watershed management under the ten-year fishing ban.––accomplished.

 

Response 1:

Thank you for the comment and kind suggestion.

1) In the sections "Research Methods 2.3.1" and "Results 3.2.3", we have introduced an evaluation system for significant categories of fishery cultural resources and assessed their distribution (Figure 5). The highest proportions of significant resources are found in fishery engineering and landscapes, culinary flavors, fishery customs, dances, fishery gear, and poetry. In accordance with the evaluation criterion in Table 1, these categories possess substantial cultural value, marked by their historical significance, cultural and artistic merit, rarity and uniqueness, and scientific value, and display a multidimensional and interdisciplinary character, particularly pronounced in the significant areas like Poyang Lake, the main stream of Hubei in the midstream, and Taihu Lake in the downstream regions.

2) In the "Discussion 4.3" section, we have elaborated on detailed preservation strategies, which include the following: conducting comprehensive investigations, collection, and organization of fishery cultural resources; improving legal and policy frameworks and optimizing preservation methods; promoting the integration of fishery culture preservation and transmission with specialized industry development, while expanding creative industries; coordinating the preservation of fishery cultural resources with rural revitalization efforts and enhancing public participation in rural communities.

3) In the "Discussion 4.2" section, we have further analyzed the role of fishery cultural resources in rural revitalization and governance. The preservation and sustainability of Yangtze River fishery cultural resources contribute to rural revitalization and transformative governance. This study posits that the preservation and inheritance of fishery cultural heritage support the sustainability of rural lifestyles. Additionally, the preservation and transmission of fishery cultural heritage strengthen community participation and cultural identity in rural areas. Safeguarding and passing on fishery culture are vital for maintaining the cultural continuity of rural communities. Furthermore, fishery culture and recreational fisheries can significantly boost rural economic development.

 

Comments 2:

Research questions:

1. What is the spatial distribution of fishery cultural resources in the Yangtze River Basin, and where are these resources predominantly clustered? ––Answered
2. What natural, socio-economic, and historical-cultural factors influence the distribution and evolution of fishery cultural resources in the Yangtze River Basin? ––Answered
3. How have fishery cultural resources in the Yangtze River Basin developed and evolved over time? ––Answered
4. What are the significant categories of fishery cultural resources (e.g., fishery dances, poetry, culinary traditions) in the Yangtze River Basin, and what is their cultural significance? ––Partially Answered
5. What strategies can be proposed for the protection and inheritance of fishery cultural resources in the Yangtze River Basin, considering the impact of the ten-year fishing ban? ––This needs further explorations.
   6. How can fishery cultural resources contribute to rural revitalization, governance, and sustainable development in the Yangtze River Basin? ––Needs further explanation.

 

Response 2:

Thank you for the comment and kind suggestion.

1) As previously mentioned, we have added an evaluation system for significant categories of fishery cultural resources and assessed the distribution of these significant resources (Figure 5).

2) As previously mentioned, we have revised and elaborated on detailed preservation strategies in the context of the ten-year fishing ban.

Sustainable development is conceptualized as a complex, dynamic, and open system encompassing social, economic, and natural dimensions, high-lighting the intrinsic relationship of development, coordination, and sustainability. The preservation and sustainability of Yangtze River fishery cultural resources contributes to rural revitalization and transformative governance.

In the revised manuscript, we provide a explanation of how fishery cultural resources contribute to rural revitalization and sustainable development in the Yangtze River Basin. Currently, fishery culture and recreational fisheries can significantly boost the rural economic development.

 

Comments 3:

Main Findings:
Geographical Clustering of Fishery Cultural Resources:
The study identifies significant geographical clustering of fishery cultural resources, particularly around the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake basin, Wuhan and Dongting Lake area, and Taihu Lake basin. This clustering highlights the rich biocultural diversity and historical significance of these regions.

If the authors can delineate and quantify these areas and how much fisheries can these areas hold, what cultural aspects they could contribute and how could they contribute to sustain the economy of these areas. This would make the paper more appealing.

Response 3:

Thank you for the comment and kind suggestion.

We attempted to delineate and quantify the distribution of significant fishery cultural resources, which are primarily concentrated around the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and the Poyang Lake basin, Wuhan and Dongting Lake area, and Taihu Lake basin (Figure 5). In the revised manuscript, we compared these significant fishery cultural resources with the distribution of national and provincial intangible cultural heritage, as well as with the distribution of fishermen who have ceased fishing activities and decommissioned fishing boats. This comparison highlights the synergy and contribution of fishery cultural resources to fishery production elements, particularly in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, Poyang Lake basin, Wuhan and Dongting Lake, and Taihu Lake basin in the downstream.

 

Comments 4:

Other areas that paper could potentially improve to strengthen its impact and clarity.
· Lacks clear organization and structure, making it challenging for readers to follow the main argument or thesis.

• The language used is overly complex and dense, which may hinder understanding and accessibility for a broader audience.
• While the paper discusses various aspects of Yangtze River fishery culture, there seems to be a lack of concrete empirical evidence or data to support many of the claims made.
• The paper could benefit from more contextualization within existing literature or theoretical frameworks related to sustainable development, cultural heritage conservation, and rural revitalization.
• The conclusions and implications drawn from the study are not clearly stated or linked back to the findings, making it unclear how the research contributes to practical applications or policy recommendations.

 

Response 4:

Thank you for the comment and kind suggestion. All the comments/suggestions made are helpful for us.

1) The introduction has been reorganized to enhance the clarity and structure of the manuscript, making the content clearer. In the introduction, we have added contextualization within existing literature related to cultural heritage conservation, and rural revitalization. Additionally, we have adjusted the organization and structure of “Introduction”, “Research Methods”and “Discussion” sections appropriately. We have also added an comparisons with previous review articles in the discussion section.

2) We have simplified some complex language, reduced dense jargons and acronyms related to fishery culture in the manuscript, made several English language corrections and completed an English language editing.

3) We revised the conclusions and implications, making it is clearly stated or linked back to the discussion and findings. The three major influencing factors of fishery cultural resources indicate that the distribution and historical development of the resources are closely related to ecological, economic, social, and cultural factors. These factors play a crucial role in rural revitalization. Therefore, this study posits that leveraging the value and function of fishery culture can synergistically advance rural revitalization, achieving a win-win situation for both the preservation of fishery cultural resources and sustainable rural development. Additionally, this can promote the management and governance of fishing villages and watershed ecosystems in the context of the ten-year fishing ban.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have addressed my concerns. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Needs minor editing.