Saving the Yangtze River's Finless Porpoise from Extinction

Sat Oct 11 2025 23:45:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Chinese scientists are pushing to protect the critically endangered finless porpoise through a strict fishing ban on the Yangtze River, showing early signs of success.

Chinese scientists at the Institute of Hydrobiology in Wuhan are undertaking critical efforts to save the dwindling population of finless porpoises from extinction. The major threat to these animals stems from a drastic reduction in their ecosystem, after the extinction of similar species like the baiji river dolphin. Currently, the finless porpoise, with an estimated 1,200 remaining in the wild, is being highlighted as a key species for monitoring the river's ecological health.

In 2006, scientists proposed a ten-year ban on fishing in the Yangtze River, which was harshly enforced and resulted in a significant socioeconomic impact, displacing over 220,000 fishermen. Despite the immediate fallout, reports suggest a rise in fish populations, indicating a restorative effect on the ecosystem. However, challenges such as noise pollution from ships and the presence of industrial pollution still pose threats. Nevertheless, community involvement and collaboration among scientists continue to drive porpoise conservation efforts, with recent records showing a 25% increase in their numbers since the imposition of the fishing ban, suggesting a hopeful trend for both the finless porpoise and the health of the Yangtze River basin.

Through wildlife preservation and community initiatives, experts hope these positive trends can stabilize the elusive finless porpoise population while highlighting the importance of conservation for broader environmental health.