Abstract: Cetaceans are an important part of the ecosystem and play an important role in constituting biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem functions. China is rich in cetacean diversity, with 38 species distributed in Chinese waters. Although the Chinese government and scientists have carried out a series of multidisciplinary studies on the biology and conservation of cetaceans in their own waters since the 1920s, especially on the ecology and conservation of Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis), Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) and Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni). A series of important innovations have been made, but there are still many challenges. On the basis of summarizing the existing research, this paper deeply reflects on the current situation of cetacean populations in China, discusses the problems existing in the construction of dynamic baseline database, the identification of key habitats and the prediction of potential habitats, the construction of systematic protection evaluation system and the work of popular science education, and puts forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions, in order to promote the protection and scientific management of cetaceans in China.

Key words: Cetaceans, Population trend, Advance, Conservation

摘要： 鲸类是生态系统中的重要组成部分，在构成生物多样性和维持生态系统功能等方面发挥重要作用。中国是鲸类资源大国，共有38种鲸类分布于中国水域。尽管二十世纪二十年代开始，中国政府及科学家围绕本国水域鲸类的生物学与保护，通过多学科手段开展了一系列研究，特别是在长江江豚（Neophocaena asiaeorientalis）、中华白海豚（Sousa chinensis）和布氏鲸（Balaenoptera edeni）的生态学与保护方面，取得了一系列重要的创新进展，但仍面临诸多挑战。本文在总结已有研究的基础上，深刻反思当前中国鲸类种群面临的状况，讨论中国鲸类在动态基线数据库建设、关键栖息地识别及潜在栖息地预测、系统的保护评价体系构建和科普宣教工作中存在的问题，并提出相应对策建议与措施，以期推进中国范围内的鲸类资源保护与科学管理。

关键词: 鲸类, 种群趋势, 进展, 保护