The importance of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinesis) population of Sanniang bay, Guangxi Province, PR China: recommendations for habitat protection. Scientific Committee Document SC/58/SM18, International Whaling Commission, May-June 2006, St.Kitts
Wenshi, P.; Porter, L.; Yamin, W.; Dagong, Q.; Yu, L.; Tong, J.; Zuhong, L.; Dezhi, W.; Yun, S.; Zixing, P.; Van Waerebeek, K. (2006). The importance of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinesis) population of Sanniang bay, Guangxi Province, PR China: recommendations for habitat protection. Scientific Committee Document SC/58/SM18, International Whaling Commission, May-June 2006, St.Kitts. International Whaling Commission: St. Kitts. 6 pp.
|  |
| Authors | | Top |
- Wenshi, P.
- Porter, L.
- Yamin, W.
- Dagong, Q.
|
- Yu, L.
- Tong, J.
- Zuhong, L.
- Dezhi, W.
|
- Yun, S.
- Zixing, P.
- Van Waerebeek, K., more
|
| Abstract |
During the period June 2004 - January 2006, a research team from the Qinzhou Bay Chinese White Dolphins Research Center of Peking University, the Peoples Republic of China, conducted systematic and opportunistic boat surveys of Sanniang Bay, Guangxi Province, in which Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis were regularly seen. Ninety eight dolphins were photographically identified. The dolphins appear to inhabit a small, shallow area of core habitat within the greater Sanniang Bay area. They do not appear to travel up the two rivers which are located to each side of the bay. Of the five populations known from the coastal area of China, the one that resides in Sanniang Bay is determined as having the least impact from anthropogenic activities. The area itself has been designated as a nature tourism location and considerable effort and money has been spent on developing appropriate tourist facilities. The dolphin watching industry in the area is strictly monitored and controlled by one local authority. The largest estuary adjacent to Sanniang Bay has been allocated for industrial development and a paper pulp mill will be established there. Considering the investment already made in the nature tourism industry, the natural beauty of the bay and the surrounding area and the likelihood that this is the only population of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins which remain in uncompromised and relatively pristine habitat in all of China, it is urged that all effort be made to maintain the natural integrity of the bay. It is recommended that all development and operational aspects of the paper pulp be thoroughly scrutinized and all efforts made to minimize impact upon the environment and that all current and future industries and activities in this area must not detrimentally impact the dolphin population or compromise the integrity of the bay ecosystem. |
|
