Continued threats to Yangtze finless porpoises include bycatch in unregulated and unselective fishing, habitat degradation through dredging, pollution and noise, vessel strikes and water development.
The main driver of their decline is not clear because of the sheer range of human activities operating along China's longest river, but sand dredging, shipping, legal and illegal fishing, pollution, habitat degradation and a reduction of fish prey are all factors.
The depletion of fish stocks, the degradation of marine environments and the encroachment of industrial fleets therefore poses a major existential threat to these traditional fishing communities.
"The depletion of fish stocks, the degradation of marine environments and the encroachment of industrial fleets pose a major existential threat to these traditional fishing communities," says De Schutter in an article for the network.
Recently, we showed that fish muscle protein degradation depends on activities of proteolytic enzymes that are tightly controlled and regulated [ 4- 7].
Threats facing the whales include ship collisions, fishing gear, habitat degradation, and contaminants and noise.
Although more specimens have since been discovered, the conservation status of this species remains precarious due to heavy fishing and habitat degradation within its range.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed this species as Data Deficient due to lack of specific data, while noting that its vulnerability to fishing and habitat degradation may merit concern.
Coastal species are more exposed to the combined threats of fishing and habitat degradation than those offshore in pelagic and deepwater ecosystems.
