title: Conservation Status of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin (Sousa chinensis) in the Northern Beibu Gulf, China.
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.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Bingyao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Xinrong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Clymene Enterprises, Lakeside, California, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.affiliation: National Hepu Dugong Nature Reserve Administration Station, Beihai, China.
authors.forename: Paula A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.affiliation: Qinzhou Sanniang Bay Chinese White Dolphin Protect Station, Qinzhou Aquatic Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau, Qinzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qiurong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: National Hepu Dugong Nature Reserve Administration Station, Beihai, China.
authors.forename: Hongke
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Qinzhou Sanniang Bay Chinese White Dolphin Protect Station, Qinzhou Aquatic Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau, Qinzhou, China.
authors.forename: Liwen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China. Electronic address: gyang@njnu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004289:Dolphins / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D056727:Endangered Species; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012767:Ships; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: Beibu Gulf; Conservation management; Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins; Population size; Sousa chinensis; Threats