Whale Community Discovered in South China (AI Translation)

【周刊提前读】广西北海现布氏鲸群落 如何留住成挑战

[para. 1] On March 2, underwater photographer Wu Lixin documented a group of illuminated trawlers operating at night in the waters near Xieyang Island, Guangxi, an important habitat and foraging area for Bryde’s whales. This incident reflects the growing encroachment of fishing activities in areas critical to these whales’ survival and has drawn public attention due to a recent surge in trawler numbers—from just a few in 2023 to as many as eight at a time in 2024. The local Bryde’s whale population, China’s only nearshore group, fluctuates annually between 26 and 58 individuals, with scientists identifying over 70 unique whales in the area through dorsal fin features [para. 1][para. 4].

[para. 2] Weizhou and Xieyang Islands, located in the Beibu Gulf off Guangxi, were recognized in 2018 as the habitat for the Chinese mainland’s first nearshore whale population, sparking interest in whale watching and research. Bryde’s whales visit the area primarily from December to April, migrating along China’s southeastern coast or, possibly, towards Southeast Asia. Satellite tagging in 2021 showed an individual traveling over 460 kilometers from Weizhou Island toward Hainan. Historical records reveal that large whale populations once existed throughout China’s coastal regions, but intensive whaling caused their disappearance by the late 20th century. Whaling was officially banned in China in 1980 [para. 4][para. 5][para. 6][para. 7][para. 8][para. 9].

[para. 3] The resurgence of public interest has transformed Weizhou Island into China’s only whale-watching destination [para. 10]. In 2024, the island hosted over 1,000 whale watchers daily during peak tourism, with 120,000 visitors and 200 million yuan in tourism revenue during the Chinese New Year holiday. The whale-watching fleet consists of about 50 yachts, managed mainly via a local club to regulate activity and prevent disturbance to whales.

[para. 4] However, research indicates that whale watching—especially when vessels approach closely—can reduce whale feeding rates. International studies echo these concerns, warning of long-term impacts on whale health and population viability. To mitigate such effects, Weizhou Island authorities, together with NGOs and scientific bodies, released non-mandatory guidelines in late 2024: no entry within 100 meters of whales, a maximum of four boats observing simultaneously, and 30-minute session limits. The main whale-watching club enforces additional safety and operational standards, such as AIS tracking and slow speeds near whales. Hardware improvements—such as replacing diesel engines with electric ones and using quieter propellers—are under consideration to reduce disturbances and injuries [para. 13][para. 14][para. 15][para. 16][para. 17].

[para. 5] Injury rates among Bryde’s whales around Weizhou Island are high: a 2021–2023 study of 57 adults found over half bore wounds, largely from entanglement in fishing gear or collisions with vessels. Illegal and poorly regulated fishing practices—particularly illuminated trawling and the use of large abandoned nets—exacerbate these threats. Declining baitfish populations, attributed to overfishing, further limit whale food resources and affect their behavior and reproductive displays [para. 20][para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24][para. 25][para. 26][para. 27][para. 28].

[para. 6] Regulatory challenges impede effective protection. Enforcement is weak due to remote geography, lack of designated marine protection zones, overlapping jurisdiction, and ambiguous classifications of fishing techniques (e.g., “cover net” vessels remain technically legal). Consequently, the Beihai Oceanic Bureau lacks authority to effectively restrict harmful activities unless new regulations or protected areas are put in place. Experts argue for the establishment of a 20-kilometer-wide whale marine protected area encompassing Weizhou and Xieyang Islands, with no-fishing core zones and regulated whale-watching corridors [para. 29][para. 30][para. 31][para. 32][para. 33][para. 34].

[para. 7] China’s protected marine areas currently cover only 4.1% of its waters, below global targets of 30% by 2030. Scientists stress that dedicated, larger protected areas for species like the Bryde’s whale would also benefit broader marine biodiversity [para. 35][para. 36]. Underfunding for research and conservation remains a critical challenge; leading whale researchers must piece together scant resources despite the ecological and economic importance of their work [para. 37][para. 38]. Stronger protection and research investment are urgently needed to ensure the continued survival of China’s only nearshore baleen whale population [para. 39][para. 40].