Conservation status of the Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) in the Northern Beibu Gulf, China
Chen, B.; Xu, X.; Jefferson, T.A.; Olson, P.A.; Qin, Q.; Zhang, H.; He, L.; Yang, G. (2016). Conservation status of the Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) in the Northern Beibu Gulf, China, in: Jefferson, T.A. et al. Adv. Mar. Biol. 73: Humpback dolphins (Sousa spp.): Current status and conservation, Part 2. Advances in Marine Biology, 73: pp. 119–139. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2015.10.001 In: Jefferson, T.A.; Curry, B.E. (Ed.) (2016). Adv. Mar. Biol. 73: Humpback dolphins (Sousa spp.): Current status and conservation, Part 2. Advances in Marine Biology, 73. Academic Press: London. ISBN 978-0-12-803602-0. 326 pp., more In: Advances in Marine Biology. Academic Press: London, New York. ISSN 0065-2881; e-ISSN 2162-5875, more |  |
| Keywords | Sousa chinensis (Osbeck, 1765) [WoRMS]
ISEW, Beibu Gulf
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Population size; Conservation management; Threats; Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins |
| Authors | | Top | - Chen, B.
- Xu, X.
- Jefferson, T.A.
- Olson, P.A.
| - Qin, Q.
- Zhang, H.
- He, L.
- Yang, G.
| |
| Abstract | There has been very little previous research on Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the Beibu Gulf of southern China. Here, we report on the population size, habitat and ecology, threats, and overall conservation status of this putative population. ‘Population size’ was estimated based on photo-identification mark/recapture analysis. It was estimated to number a total of 398–444 individuals (95% CI: 393–506), with two apparently distinct groups in the Dafengjiang–Nanliujiang Estuary and at Shatian–Caotan. Movements of dolphins in the Beibu Gulf appear to be limited, with high site fidelity. These dolphins were found to occur mainly in shallow coastal waters near estuaries. The main threats are fisheries interactions (including by-catch), vessel traffic, mariculture operations, dolphin-watching tourism, and habitat degradation (including marine construction activities and large-scale land reclamation). Although the conservation status of this putative population has been considered to be better than that of other populations of the species in more northern areas of China, there is still reason for strong concern about its future, and several management recommendations are made. |
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