Identifying conservation solutions for the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) through community research

Principal Investigators: Turvey, Barrett, Ding, Yujiang, Jepson

The project work will consist of six related components:

(1)     Community interview survey.

(2)     Educational campaign.

(3)     Strengthening regional enforcement of fisheries regulations.

(4)     Development of porpoise monitoring network.

(5)     Analysis of pollutant loads.

(6)     Training of Chinese project staff in standardised post-mortem methodologies. 

In terms of its research output, this project will provide the first concerted investigation into the relative strengths, weaknesses, and efficacies of ‘bottom up’ and ‘top down’ techniques for mitigating threats to the Yangtze finless porpoise, and will generate invaluable new data on the magnitude and significance of different threat factors facing the porpoise population in a series of high-priority conservation regions in both the Yangtze mainstream and the two appended Yangtze lake systems. It will also deliver a series of educational, awareness-raising, and training opportunities that will target both local communities, regional management authorities, and scientific institutions. This complementary series of conservation actions will provide the greatest chance of success for long-term conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise.