Chinese scientists are gaining ground in their efforts to conserve the critically endangered finless porpoise, with recent measures being taken to improve the health of the Yangtze River ecosystem. Among the initiatives is a stringent fishing ban, enforced by local authorities, designed to protect the river's remaining wildlife—particularly the finless porpoise, population estimates of which indicate only 1,200 individuals remain in the wild.
Situated in Wuhan, close to the Yangtze's banks, the Institute of Hydrobiology houses not only living specimens of the finless porpoise but also preserved extinct species like the baiji river dolphin and paddlefish. "Now that those have become extinct, we're going to save the Yangtze river porpoise," asserts Professor Wang Xi, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The fishing ban was initially proposed in 2006 by Professor Cao Wenxuan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), but it took a decade of advocacy and pressure from fellow scientists before its implementation. Facing severe penalties, including imprisonment, this ban has profoundly impacted over 220,000 local fishermen. However, it is a necessary step for preserving the river's delicate ecology, in which the finless porpoise serves as the top predator.
The Three Gorges Dam has posed additional hurdles for biodiversity in the region, as it obstructs the migratory pathways of many aquatic species, while the finless porpoise itself managed to survive without spawning upstream. Nevertheless, their existence remains threatened—particularly by noise pollution from passing vessels, which can distress the porpoises.
Amidst the conservation strategies, some successes are being observed. Current reports indicate a significant increase in fish populations within the Yangtze since the fishing ban took effect in 2021. Local communities have become actively involved in conservation, supporting researchers and tracking porpoise sightings.
Individuals such as Yang He, an amateur photographer, contribute significantly to these conservation efforts, documenting porpoise activity and alerting authorities to any signs of distress. His involvement underscores a broader communal effort to combat the decline of the species.
In the 1990s, the finless porpoise population was around 3,300, but by 2006, it had diminished to just 1,650. Recent data indicate that conservation measures have led to a nearly 25% increase in their numbers over the last five years, suggesting that the ecosystem as a whole is improving.
As Wang Ding from the International Union for Conservation of Nature emphasizes, protecting the finless porpoise symbolizes a broader commitment to preserving Yangtze River health: "We're saving the finless porpoise to save the Yangtze River. If the porpoises are thriving, it signifies the ecological recovery of the entire river."
