Bio-diversity

Targeted Location and Population: The main area that this project involves is the water area of Pearl River Estuary which is the jurisdictional area of Chinese White Dolphin National Nature Reserve. The target population of this project is all public groups of Zhuhai, and they are all common citizens, especially including the fishermen and the staff of fishery sector who are in close contact with the Chinese White Dolphin and the students from primary and secondary schools and also universities, so a large number of youth groups will take part in this project. Problems: At present, protecting marine biodiversity in China is still in development stage and still facing many problems: coastal government departments and public are lack of knowledge on the current situation of marine biodiversity and awareness of biodiversity conservation. They pay much attention on economic benefits so that their support to biodiversity conservation is not enough. Since marine biodiversity, scientific research and technological base is weak, it s difficult to support the proper decision making and effective protection measures. The capacity of protected areas administration needs to be raised; government departments, academic institutions and community groups are lack of effective coordinating mechanisms; biological diversity conservation has not yet been integrated into the regional development in the long-term planning, it is difficult at the macro level, to strengthen the biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of resources. Solutions / activities: 1.Publicize the knowledge and current situation of marine mammals in the Pearl River Estuary by taking all measures such as Awareness Day, questionnaires, seminars, exhibition, brochure and so on. 2. Train the trainers on cetacean rescue. 3. Establish a stranded dolphins rescue group. 4. Conduct research on genetics and anatomy pathology of marine mammals. 5. Conduct resources Survey of Chinese white dolphin in Pearl River Estuary. 6. Establish cetaceans rescue network. Anticipated Results/Immediate Outputs of Project: 1. about 1500 persons are informed with marine mammals conservation. 2. about 200 volunteers knows how to rescue cetacean. 3. a stranded dolphins resccue group with 20 members is established with knowledge of dolphin rescue and how to make specimen by using the dead marine mammals for museum. 4. anatomic report is compiled and 2 papers and 4 reports are submitted to relevant departments. 5. the information of population and distribution of Chinese White Dolphin in Pearl River Estuary are included into database. 6. a cetaceans rescue website is established, a Chinese White Dolphin protection digital information system is established.

China