Accelerating population decline of Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis)

The spatial pattern of larval fish assemblages in the lower reach of the Yangtze River: potential influences of river–lake connectivity and tidal intrusion

“…However, fish resources have dramatically decreased since the 1950s due to anthropogenic interferences such as isolation of lakes from the river Li et al, 2006), dam construction (Park et al, 2003;Yang et al, 2007), overfishing (Chen et al, 2001(Chen et al, , 2002, and water pollution (Quan & Shen, 2004;Dong et al, 2006). Meanwhile, the baiji has disappeared from any observation in the Yangtze River since 2006 (Turvey et al, 2007), and population of the finless porpoise has declined dramatically in the last two decades (Mei et al, 2012). Shortage of prey fish resources was suggested as one of the major reasons inducing decline of the finless porpoise population (Wang, 2009).…”

Characterization, optimization, and validation of environmental DNA (eDNA) markers to detect an endangered aquatic mammal

“…The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis, henceforth YFP) is endemic to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China, and is the only fully freshwater porpoise species around the world (Mei et al 2012). Escalating anthropogenic activities such as fishing, vessel traffic, sand mining, intensifying pollution, and habitat degradation in an already heavily deteriorated river system have resulted in a rapid decline of YFP populations (Wang 2009).…”

Effects of bycatch on the population viability of the narrow-ridged finless porpoises in Ariake Sound and Tachibana Bay, Japan

“…Bycatch in particular can have a serious impact on porpoise populations because it is lethal and, therefore, can threaten the viability of the populations (Reeves et al 1997, IWC 2006. A rapid decline caused by humaninduced mortality has been noted in some populations (Kasuya et al 2002, Zhao et al 2008, Mei et al 2012, Hashimoto et al 2013). Because of a suspected past decline in population size, this species is classified worldwide as 'Vulnerable' (VU) according to Criterion A2 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Wang & Reeves 2012).…”

“…Burkhart & Slooten 2003, Currey et al 2009, Mei et al 2012, Hashimoto et al 2013. Population predictions for the narrow-ridged finless porpoise have only been conducted for 2 populations, in which the declines in population size were detected by ABSTRACT: The narrow-ridged finless porpoise Neophocaena asiaeorientalis is a coastal cetacean that is threatened by various human activities.…”

“…Hence, the collection of current abundance and bycatch data should be promoted in order to minimize uncertainty in risk assessments. Hashimoto et al (2013) predicted that the population would decrease by approximately 90% over 50 yr. For the population in the Yangtze River in China, Mei et al (2012) predicted that approximately 90% of the current population would be lost in the next 3 generations. Therefore, the subspecies inhabiting the river (N. asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is classified as 'Critically Endangered' (CR), the most serious threat level, according to Criteria A3 and A4 of the IUCN Red List (Wang et al 2013).…”