title: Unsustainable human-induced injuries to the Critically Endangered Taiwanese humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis).
abstract: The Critically Endangered Taiwanese humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis) is endemic to inshore and estuarine waters of central western Taiwan. It numbers fewer than 75 individuals, is declining and faces a myriad of human threats. Data from a long-term photo-identification program on these dolphins allowed major injuries to be examined quantitatively. A large proportion (57.7%) of individuals had suffered major human-induced injuries that likely compromised their health, survivorship or reproductive potential and thus, the future of this subspecies. Considering major injuries as "takes", the injury rate (1.13 dolphins/year) for the population was 8-8.5 times higher than its Potential Biological Removal rate. Observations of new injuries and fishing gear entanglements on several dolphins showed that fisheries continue to be the predominant cause of these major injuries. Unless immediate action is taken to reduce harmful fisheries, extinction is imminent for Taiwan's only endemic dolphin.
authors.affiliation: CetAsia Research Group, 310-7250 Yonge St., Thornhill, Ontario L4J-7X1, Canada; Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9J-7B8, Canada; National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, 2 Houwan Road, Checheng, Pingtung County, 944, Taiwan. Electronic address: cetasiajohn@gmail.com.
authors.forename: John Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: CetAsia Research Group, 310-7250 Yonge St., Thornhill, Ontario L4J-7X1, Canada. Electronic address: riehlk@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kimberly N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Riehl
authors.affiliation: FormosaCetus Company Limited, 5F-5, #78, Chung-Mei 13 Street, Hualien City, 970, Taiwan. Electronic address: yang.shihchu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shih Chu
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: CetAsia Research Group, 310-7250 Yonge St., Thornhill, Ontario L4J-7X1, Canada; Botos do Cerrado - Pesquisas Ambientais, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Electronic address: araujoclaryana@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Claryana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Araújo-Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004289:Dolphins / Q000293:injuries*; D056727:Endangered Species; D006801:Humans; D011157:Population Dynamics
keywords: Conservation; Fisheries; Human impacts; Humpback dolphins; Injuries; Taiwan