Title
Challenges and priorities for river cetacean conservation
Author(s)
Campbell, Elizabeth; Alfaro-Shigueto, Joanna; Aliaga-Rossel, Enzo; Beasley, Isabel; Briceño, Yurasi; Caballero, Susana; da Silva, Vera M. F.; Gilleman, Cedric; Gravena, Waleska; Hines, Ellen; Khan, Mohd Shahnawaz; Khan, Uzma; Kreb, Danielle; Mangel, Jeffrey C.; Marmontel, Miriam; Mei, Zhigang; Mintzer, Vanessa J.; Mosquera-Guerra, Federico; Oliveira-da-Costa, Marcelo; Paschoalini, Mariana; Paudel, Shambhu; Sinha, Ravindra Kumar; Smith, Brian D.; Turvey, Samuel T.; Utreras, Victor; Van Damme, Paul Andre; Wang, Ding; Whitty, Tara Sayuri; Thurstan, Ruth H.; Godley, Brendan J.
Published
2022
Publisher
Endangered Species Research
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01201
Abstract
River cetaceans are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts due to their constrained ranges in freshwater systems of China, South Asia, and South America. We undertook an exhaustive review of 280 peer-reviewed papers and grey literature reports (1998-2020) to examine the current status of knowledge regarding these cetaceans and their conservation. We aimed to better understand the scale of threats they face, and to identify and propose priority future efforts to better conserve these species. We found that the species have been studied with varying frequency and that most of the research on threats has focused on habitat degradation and fragmentation (43%, mainly driven by dams and extractive activities such as sand mining and deforestation), and fishery interactions (39%, in the form of bycatch and direct take). These threats occur across all species, but more information is needed, primarily on quantifying the population impacts as a basis for designing mitigation measures. Other threats identified include pollution, vessel collisions, traditional use, and poorly managed tourism. Emerging methods such as environmental DNA and unmanned aerial vehicles are described for studying these species. Promising conservation interventions include cetacean-specific protected areas, natural ex situ protection, community-led conservation, and education programmes. However, transnational political will is required for a step change towards broad-scale protection in freshwater environments. In addition, we propose increasing capacity building, developing management plans, working closely with fishing communities, enhancing public awareness, expanding regional collaborations, and diversifying funding.
Keywords
River dolphins; Threat; Management; Bycatch; Dams; Dolphin-fishery interactions; Research prioritisation; Emerging methods

Access Full Text

A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.



Back

PUB35816