Pink matters but also gray: Importance, threats, and conservation efforts of Hong Kong cetaceans

Participant(s)

Activity date	30 Mar 2022
Degree of recognition	International

Description

Marine mammals have always been considered charismatic animals, but their real importance relies on the fact that they are ecosystem sentinels of the marine environment. This means that through them, we can learn about the health of the ocean. Hong Kong is home to two very distinct but equally valuable species of cetaceans; the famous Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin and the lesser-known Indo-Pacific finless porpoise. These cetacean species have a “vulnerable” status in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, as they face both natural and anthropogenic threats that have reduced their numbers in recent years. Most of the threats these animals face are related to human activities, such as interaction with fishing boats, speed boat transit, and constant construction sites near the shores. Due to the numerous threats these animals face, there are different organizations including governmental, non-profit, and research groups from different universities, which are dedicated to the study, protection, conservation, and public awareness of these two local cetacean species. Moreover, the Cetacean Virtopsy Stranding Response Program oversees the recovery, collection, and post-mortem study of stranded cetaceans that die on our shores. But even with all the efforts currently made for their study and conservation, there is still a long way to go for these cetacean populations to thrive in Hong Kong waters.

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