The impact of fisheries management practices on the survival of the Yangtze finless porpoise in China

Mei, Zhigang; Han, Yi; Dong, Lijun; Turvey, Samuel T.; Hao, Yiming; Wang, Kexiong; Wang, Ding

doi:10.1002/aqc.3078

Cited by 15 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(42 reference statements)

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“…Firstly, given the high contribution of C. brachygnathus to the diet of the Yangtze finless porpoise in early and middle March, which is just prior to the commencement of the Chinese annual fishing ban (from March 20 to June 20); we advise extending the regulation of the fish harvest specific to C. brachygnathus in Poyang Lake into the first half of March. Also, we advocate a complete ban on the use of seine nets in March because illegal fishing gear has been the main threat to C. brachygnathus populations, and the widespread use of seine nets can also increase the rates of accidental death of porpoises when animals in starvation are forced to prey on netted fish and can be fatally entangled (Mei et al., 2019). Secondly, we found that semi‐migratory fish are probably the main source of assimilated diets of porpoises over the longer‐term.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Poyang Lake, one of the lakes adjoining the main stem of the Yangtze River, is currently habitat for approximately 450 wild Yangtze finless porpoises (Huang et al., 2020). Although the number of porpoises in Poyang Lake has remained stable in the past decade (Mei et al., 2019), fishery resources are being gradually reduced by intensified fishing activities and widespread illegal fishing (Wang et al., 2019).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Temporal variation in the diet of Yangtze finless porpoise calls for conservation of semi‐migratory fish

et al. 2021

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Identifying the feeding patterns of large‐bodied predators is necessary to predict their potential effects on food‐web dynamics and to inform species conservation. In contrast to diet information from stomach contents, diet estimates obtained using stable isotopes in blood and muscle can reveal temporal variation in diets. Here, we used an extensive stable isotope dataset and Bayesian stable isotope mixing model to evaluate the trophic role of the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis), a critically endangered species distributed in the middle and lower catchments of the Yangtze River. We analysed blood samples from 24 individuals captured during March 2017 in Poyang Lake (which adjoins the Yangtze River), and muscle samples from 8 individuals stranded in the lake over a 1‐year period (2012–2013). We additionally genotyped prey from faecal samples taken from 13 individuals captured in March 2017. We found that as a generalist apex predator, this finless porpoise consumes semi‐migratory and non‐migratory fish prey. However, relative proportions of these two prey resources were different between dietary analyses based on blood samples compared to muscle samples, reflecting recent and longer‐term consumption patterns, respectively. Non‐migratory fish contributed mainly to the diet of predators in the early and middle of March. In contrast, semi‐migratory fish comprised the majority of the prey composition over a more extended period (e.g. 2–3 months), and the difference may be linked to changes in the fish abundance influenced by seasonal factors. Our findings provide insights into the trophic role of this critically imperilled but little studied species, demonstrate how stable isotope analyses can elucidate finless porpoise feeding ecology, and emphasise the importance of semi‐migratory fish to conserving this porpoise population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal variation in the diet of Yangtze finless porpoise calls for conservation of semi‐migratory fish

et al. 2021

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“…The finless porpoise was observed to be more abundant closer to the HK area than in other areas either in Poyang Lake or in other river sections in the lower reach of the Yangtze River (Kimura et al, 2012;Mei et al, 2019). For example, there were 206 finless porpoise individuals during the low water period of the 2014 winter in Poyang Lake, of which approximately 174 were observed in the HK area near the main channel (Xu, 2015).…”

Section: Hemibarbus Maculatusmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the baiji has not been observed in the Yangtze River since 2006 (Turvey et al, 2007), and populations of the finless porpoise have declined severely in the last two decades (Mei et al, 2012). A shortage of fish prey resources was suggested as one of the major reasons inducing the decline of the finless porpoise populations (Wang, 2009;Mei et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial distribution patterns of fish egg and larval assemblages in the lower reach of the Yangtze River: Potential implications for conservation and management

Ren

Schmidt

Fang

et al. 2021

Aquatic Conservation

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1. River fish diversity is threatened by anthropogenic environmental alteration to landscapes. The early life-history stages of fish play an important role in maintaining diversity and population recruitment and can be heavily influenced by landscape patterns. Information on temporal and spatial distribution patterns of fish eggs and larvae is also important for biodiversity conservation and management of fish resources.2. The Yangtze River possesses a high diversity of fishes, including many commercially important species. The economy along the lower reach of the river is well developed, and most of the area is experiencing high pressure from human impacts. This section of the Yangtze River connects with the largest freshwater lake in China at the upstream end and flows into the estuary at the downstream end. These two landscape features are likely to have a significant impact upon the spatial distributions of fish egg and larval assemblages.3. Environmental variables, fish eggs, and larval assemblages were sampled in three locations, at Hukou, Anqing, and Jingjiang, in the lower reach of the Yangtze River.The results suggest that the higher number of species and greater abundance in upstream sites reflect the critical function of connectivity of Poyang Lake with the river for fish recruitment in the lower Yangtze. The delayed bloom of larval fish, occurrence of estuarine species, and a lower species number and abundance of freshwater fish downstream reflect the influence of tidal intrusion from the estuary.4. This study highlights the value of maintaining natural river-lakes connectivity in the Yangtze River as a conservation measure. The connected river-lake system should be designated as a priority area for fish resource protection in the lower reach of the Yangtze River. We recommend further measures to break down barriers between the river and other lakes and to restore the natural lateral connectivity of the floodplain ecosystem.

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“…2012; Mei et al . 2019). Over the past 2 decades, the widespread use of personal computers has provided a convenient platform for citizen science projects and contributed to an unprecedented boom in citizen science (Vianna et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community‐based population monitoring for large baleen whales: the case study of Bryde's whale in Beibu Gulf of China

Zhang

Chen

et al. 2021

Integr. Zool.

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Citizen science is a popular method for the long-term monitoring of the distribution of wild animals. The application of these methods in different species and environments still poses challenges, especially for aquatic animals. In this study, we investigated the distribution of the Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Beibu Gulf of China by using scientific boat-based surveys and citizen science approaches using 2 different methods of data collection. First, we built our mobile app (Whale Guard) and installed it on fishermen's phones. Second, we used a popular instant messaging app (WeChat) to create an online fisherman community. We found that the mobile phone app collected far fewer reports (5 reports) than the online community group (42 reports, P < 0.01). By using a variety of incentives, we maintained the fisherman's community's activity without significant user loss (P < 0.01). We also found that the locations collected by social media applications in this study were consistent with observations from scientific boat-based transect surveys. The sightings distribution of Bryde's whales differed from those in previous surveys in that they were present across larger areas. Social media apps reported that 69% of reports was confirmed by more than one person, whereas Whale Guard reports were much lower (0, P <0.001). Community-based citizen science can greatly contribute to the long-term monitoring of Bryde's whales, and it has successfully overcome the challenges of data accessibility, accuracy, and fragmentation. Our study shows how to appropriately use citizen science in different community groups and community-based approaches make them useful for large baleen whale surveys.

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The impact of fisheries management practices on the survival of the Yangtze finless porpoise in China

Cited by 15 publications

References 28 publications

Temporal variation in the diet of Yangtze finless porpoise calls for conservation of semi‐migratory fish

Temporal variation in the diet of Yangtze finless porpoise calls for conservation of semi‐migratory fish

Spatial distribution patterns of fish egg and larval assemblages in the lower reach of the Yangtze River: Potential implications for conservation and management

Community‐based population monitoring for large baleen whales: the case study of Bryde's whale in Beibu Gulf of China

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