Abstract: In 2008-2014， the changes of adult mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis resources were investigated in Jiangxi， Anhui reaches of Yangtze River by field survey， ship monitoring， interviews with fishermen and fishery administrations. It was shown that the crab fishing season and fishing period has changed in both Jiangxi and Anhui reaches of Yangtze River. In midstream， fishing period increased by 20 to 30 d， while， fishing period decreased by 7 to 12 d in downstream. Statistics showed that the average individual weight of crab reached the big crab standard， and the mean fatness value exceeded the standard level of crab. During 2008 to 2014， the quantity of crab captured increased first and then decreased as the “∧” shaped curve a significant negative correlation with the total pollutant of Yangtze River water. On this basis， for the protection of mitten crab in Yangtze River， suggestions were proposed as follows: strengthening the control of pollutant discharge in Yangtze River; establishing protected areas of crab in Yangtze River Estuary; strengthening fishery management in Yangtze River; smoothing crab migration routes; enhancing propagation and releasing of crab; exploring ecological scheduling and so on.

Key words: Eriocheir sinensis, crab fishing season, resource, Yangtze River