In order to implement the requirements of the “Yangtze River Protection Law of the People's Republic of China” and “Regulations on the Management of Aquatic Organisms Protection in the Yangtze River”, Yangtze River Fisheries Administration, MARA organized the fishery authorities of the 6 provinces (cities) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, relevant scientific research institutes and social organizations to jointly implement the 2022 scientific investigation of Yangtze finless porpoise. On September 19, the scientific investigation was officially launched, and Xu Pao, Director of Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, attended the launching ceremony.

This investigation is the fourth scientific investigation of finless porpoise in the whole Yangtze River Basin after 2006, 2012 and 2017, and it is also the first systematic investigation of river basin species after the implementation of the ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River, which is of great significance for the protection of the Yangtze Finless porpoise and even the entire Yangtze River ecosystem.

Through this investigation, we will fully grasp the population, distribution characteristics and habitat status of the Yangtze finless porpoise, assess the current situation, habitat status and change trend of the Yangtze finless porpoise population, scientifically analyze the risk factors and conservation measures of the Yangtze finless porpoise, and provide a basis for formulating a more targeted protection plan for the Yangtze finless porpoise.

The team of Researchers Liu Kai of FFRC will lead the investigation of Anhui section of the Yangtze River, and the main stream investigation range is from Susong in Anhui to the Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing, with a total distance of about 400 kilometers; the investigation platform is China Fishery Administration 030 Ship and China Fishery Administration 037 Shi. It is planned to take 8 days to complete a round-trip voyage investigation, and then carry out an investigation of the waters of the Fenjiang River, a tributary of Anhui section of the Yangtze River.