Report of the Second Workshop on The Biology and Conservation of ...

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By-catchesFishery by-catch seems to be a significant cause <strong>of</strong>death for local dolphins and porpoises (Jefferson2000; Torey 2000; Jefferson et al. 2002b). Resultsfrom necropsies suggested that a total <strong>of</strong> 11finless porpoises and 5 humpback dolphins werecaught or possibly caught incidentally from 1996to early 2002. There are also indications that<strong>the</strong> incidence <strong>of</strong> net entanglement for finlessporpoises may have increased in recent years(Jefferson et al. 2002b). These animals have beenfound with net markings around <strong>the</strong>ir flukes andflippers, apparently caused by entanglement ingill nets and trawl nets. As some humpbackdolphins tend to feed behind fishing boats, <strong>the</strong>ymay occasionally become entangled in fishingnets. Although finless porpoises have not beenobserved feeding behind fishing boats in HongKong water, fishermen reported that <strong>the</strong>y doassociate with fishing boats in <strong>of</strong>fshore waters.Monitoring by-catch by trawl boats is feasible since70% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> overall catch is landed in Hong Kongports (making placement <strong>of</strong> observers logisticallypossible) and <strong>the</strong> vessels are large enough toaccommodate observers. Monitoring gillnetby-catch, however, may be more difficult sinceboats land <strong>the</strong>ir catches in many areas. Gillnetboats are small and it is not feasible to putobservers onboard. Two suggestions were madeby <strong>Workshop</strong> participants for monitoring bycatchin gillnets: a) <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> patrol boats andb) monitoring from shore, similar to <strong>the</strong> methodused in California.Legal status and present managementarrangementsSeveral laws and ordinances <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hong Konggovernment protect local cetaceans. The “WildAnimals Protection Ordinance” provides fullprotection to all dolphins, porpoises and whalesin Hong Kong, and no person is allowed tohunt or willfully disturb <strong>the</strong>m. The “Animalsand Plant (Protection <strong>of</strong> Endangered Species)Ordinance” strictly regulates <strong>the</strong> import, exportand possession <strong>of</strong> cetaceans.The Hong Kong government also implementsa marine park system under <strong>the</strong> “Marine ParksOrdinance”. One such marine park, called<strong>the</strong> “Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau MarinePark” (also known informally as “<strong>the</strong> dolphinsanctuary”), was established in 1996 under <strong>the</strong>ordinance, specifically to protect local humpbackdolphins. The marine park covers a sea area <strong>of</strong> 1,200hectares, including some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> important habitat<strong>of</strong> humpback dolphins in Hong Kong. Within <strong>the</strong>protected area, boat speed is limited to less than10 knots. Bottom trawling is not allowed within<strong>the</strong> marine park, while o<strong>the</strong>r fishing activities arestrictly regulated in order to provide a suitablehabitat for <strong>the</strong> dolphins. Ano<strong>the</strong>r marine park isscheduled to be established in 2002, which willinclude important habitat for both humpbackdolphins and finless porpoises south <strong>of</strong> LantauIsland.It was recommended during <strong>the</strong> discussion thatpark regulations should be better enforced toprotect cetaceans, although <strong>the</strong> difficulty <strong>of</strong>enforcing regulations with respect to fishermenfrom mainland China was acknowledged. Inaddition, it was suggested that developmentson <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> mainland China that have <strong>the</strong>potential to affect <strong>the</strong> marine parks and cetaceansbe plotted and <strong>the</strong> likely impacts assessed.The “Environmental Impact AssessmentOrdinance” provides fur<strong>the</strong>r protection forlocal cetaceans and <strong>the</strong>ir habitats. All coastaldevelopment projects are required to identify <strong>the</strong>potential impacts, and to recommend mitigationmeasures to minimize such impacts on marinelife, including dolphins and porpoises.<strong>Second</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong> on <strong>the</strong> Biology and Conservation <strong>of</strong> Small Cetaceans and Dugongs <strong>of</strong> SE Asia 29
<strong>Workshop</strong> participants recommended thatestablishment <strong>of</strong> a protected area betweenmainland China and Hong Kong be considered andthat collaborative efforts between <strong>the</strong> mainlandand Hong Kong be augmented. The Ocean ParkConservation Foundation could play an importantrole in educating <strong>the</strong> public to support conservationefforts. A stranding network involving individualsand institutions from both <strong>the</strong> mainland andHong Kong would be a potential mechanism forcollaboration.Folk attitudes and interactions with marinemammalsThe Hong Kong public is increasingly aware <strong>of</strong>and interested in <strong>the</strong> plight <strong>of</strong> local dolphins andporpoises, largely as a result <strong>of</strong> exposure through<strong>the</strong> news media and educational materials producedby <strong>the</strong> Hong Kong government and local NGOs (e.g.Ocean Park Conservation Foundation). Peoplehave a high interest in dolphins and porpoises, andmany have participated in educational seminarsand dolphin watching trips in <strong>the</strong> last severalyears. The efficiency <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stranding programhas been greatly enhanced in recent years throughprompt reports by <strong>the</strong> Hong Kong public.Description <strong>of</strong> existing research programsThe Hong Kong government funded severalstudies on <strong>the</strong> status and biology <strong>of</strong> humpbackdolphins in Hong Kong waters starting in 1993,and again in 1995. In 1998, additional fundingfrom <strong>the</strong> government was allocated for a 2.5-year study on <strong>the</strong> population biology <strong>of</strong> finlessporpoises. The Hong Kong government and localNGOs continue to fund long-term monitoring <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> local populations <strong>of</strong> humpback dolphins andfinless porpoises. A doctoral study is currentlyunderway to investigate <strong>the</strong> habitat-use patterns<strong>of</strong> local dolphins and porpoises. Studies on fisheryby-catch and <strong>the</strong> possible impact <strong>of</strong> dolphinwatchingactivities on local cetaceans are alsobeing conducted.Needs for additional researchSystematic line-transect studies should becontinued throughout <strong>the</strong> Pearl River Estuary andsurrounding waters over <strong>the</strong> long term, with aview to monitoring trends in abundance for <strong>the</strong>entire dolphin and porpoise populations. Thereis also a need to obtain reliable data on levels<strong>of</strong> organochlorines and heavy metals from both<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se populations. This could begin with asmall-scale trial program <strong>of</strong> biopsy sampling <strong>of</strong>skin and blubber from known (photo-identified)individual dolphins. The movements <strong>of</strong> finlessporpoises in Hong Kong and Mainland Chinesewaters are poorly known, and a tagging andtracking project should be pursued in <strong>the</strong> nearfuture. There has been little research on acousticbehavior and noise disturbance for ei<strong>the</strong>rhumpback dolphins or finless porpoises, and suchwork should be encouraged. Studies <strong>of</strong> by-catchshould be carried out and should include fishingmethods o<strong>the</strong>r than trawling. The Agricultureand Fisheries Department plans to implement aby-catch assessment program. It is important thatassessment <strong>of</strong> by-catch and fishing activities beundertaken in collaboration with Mainland China,as boats from China fish in Hong Kong waters,even close to marine parks.Present and potential whale and dolphinwatching operationsMore than five commercial dolphin watchingoperators <strong>of</strong>fer regular trips from Hong Kong tosee humpback dolphins, and <strong>the</strong> sighting rate ishigh year round in inshore waters. A voluntarycode-<strong>of</strong>-conduct for dolphin watching has beenoutlined by <strong>the</strong> Hong Kong government, and <strong>the</strong>information is disseminated to tour operatorsand <strong>the</strong> public through training workshops andeducational pamphlets.30 CMS Technical Series Publication Nº 9 - 2005
Page 1 and 2: CMS Technical Series Publication N
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Page 5 and 6: TABLE OF CONTENTSpage1. Preliminari
Page 7 and 8: AppendicesAppendix 1 - List <strong
Page 9 and 10: 8 CMS Technical Series Publication
Page 11 and 12: 10 CMS Technical Series Publication
Page 13 and 14: The cetacean species reviewed inclu
Page 15 and 16: Table 1. Major commercial Commonwea
Page 17 and 18: (2) State Legislation.In state wate
Page 19 and 20: (2) Identification of</stro
Page 21 and 22: Coastal speciesThe most frequently
Page 23 and 24: Coastal speciesThere are currently
Page 25 and 26: and Guangxi Provinces (Yang et al.
Page 27 and 28: Table 3. Records of</strong
Page 29: can be viewed as the</stron
Page 33 and 34: ioaccumulation have not yet been ex
Page 35 and 36: of fishermen who h
Page 37 and 38: are supplied to scholars and organi
Page 39 and 40: threats. Many marine mammal populat
Page 42: waters or recognize important inter
Page 47 and 48: James Cook University (Queensland,
Page 49 and 50: the last ten years
Page 51 and 52: proactive in engaging more staff an
Page 53 and 54: of SE Asia. Two sp
Page 55 and 56: San Francisco (Negros Oriental); Li
Page 57 and 58: Legal status and present management
Page 59 and 60: within 15 kilometers from t
Page 61 and 62: US, has actively participated in ce
Page 63 and 64: the project was su
Page 65 and 66: Recently, the camp
Page 67 and 68: Mekong River downstream of<
Page 69 and 70: porpoises in tropical waters <stron
Page 71 and 72: species in the Ind
Page 73 and 74: Population/stock structureNo new in
Page 75 and 76: Needs for additional researchStock
Page 77 and 78: waters of SE Asia,
Page 79 and 80: caused mortality is certainly large
Page 81 and 82:
Needs for additional researchProper
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from SE Asia, it is known to occur
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3.1.7 AustraliaDugongs occur all al
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Table 8. Conservation objectives id
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3) Monitoring and assessment <stron
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Table 10. Outline of</stron
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The group agreed that this set <str
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6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONSThe works
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96 CMS Technical Series Publication
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Bank, E. 1931. A popular account <s
Page 101 and 102:
Dalebout, M. L., J. G. Mead, C. Sco
Page 103 and 104:
Jaaman, S. A., E. Tangon, I. Isnain
Page 105 and 106:
Lin, Y.-J. 1997. Mitochondrial DNA
Page 107 and 108:
Smith, B.D., T. A. Jefferson, D. Ho
Page 109 and 110:
Yang, W.-C. 2000. Morbillivirus inf
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CHOU Lien-SiangDepartment o
Page 113 and 114:
Brian D. SMITHWildlife Conservation
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APPENDIX 3Agenda1. Preliminaries2.
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Doc. 22 Dugong conservation activit
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AreaDatesSurveyTypeEffortSpeciesNo.
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Page 123 and 124:
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Phase ofActionPlan
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[Small cetaceans are defined to inc
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f) recognizing that by-catch in fis
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130 CMS Technical Series Publicatio
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APPENDIX 9Abstracts of</str
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The (IUCN Critically Endangered) Du
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Status of
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Cetacean Habitats in the</s
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Conservation of <s
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Summary of Current
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Indonesia’s Cetacean Migration Co
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Conservation Effort to Protect <str
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The Status of <str
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Can the Developing
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Status and Conservation of<
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Legal Hunting of C
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Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (T
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Feasibility Study of</stron
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Songs of a Humpbac
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