Distribution and threats of cetaceans near the East China Sea: an analysis based on local ecological knowledge (LEK)
Received date: 2024-11-25
Accepted date: 2025-05-08
Online published: 2025-05-08
Effective conservation and management of cetaceans require detailed information on species composition and spatial distribution. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) has increasingly been recognized as a valuable tool for assessing key species and biological resources, particularly in marine mammal studies. From November to December 2023, a large-scale LEK survey was conducted in coastal areas adjacent to the East China Sea. The study aimed to investigate the diversity, distribution patterns, population trends, and potential threats faced by cetacean species in the region. A total of 534 fishermen were interviewed across 59 ports and docks. During the survey, 11 cetacean species were recorded based on local reports, including the East Asian finless porpoise (Neophocaena sunameri), common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), Chinese white dolphin (Sousa chinensis), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei), pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), and killer whale (Orcinus orca). No sightings of large baleen whales were reported. Most respondents indicated that cetacean sightings were most frequent during August and September, with key hotspots located in Haizhou Bay, the East China Sea Bridge area, the mid-lower section of the Yangtze Estuary fishing ground, Dongtou, and the northern waters of the Nanji Islands. About half (50.19%) of respondents believed that cetacean populations are declining. Additionally, 20.22% reported incidental bycatch of cetaceans, primarily associated with trawl and gillnet fisheries. These findings provide a foundational understanding of cetacean distribution and threats in the East China Sea and offer valuable insights for future conservation strategies.
Jiancheng DENG , Sikai WANG , Yang ZHANG , Jintao JIA , Tingting ZHANG , Feng ZHAO . Distribution and threats of cetaceans near the East China Sea: an analysis based on local ecological knowledge (LEK)[J]. ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA, 2026 , 46(2) : 264 -277 . DOI: 10.16829/j.slxb.151029
| Andresen L， Everatt K T， Somers M J，2014. Use of site occupancy models for targeted monitoring of the cheetah［J］. Journal of Zoology，292（3）：212?220.DOI：10.1111/jzo.12098 . | |
| Barragán?Barrera D C， Luna?Acosta A， May?Collado L J， Polo?Silva C J， Riet?Sapriza F G， Bustamante P， Hernández?ávila M P， Vélez N， Farías?Curtidor N， Caballero S，2019. Foraging habits and levels of mercury in a resident population of bottlenose dolphins（Tursiops truncatus）in Bocas del Toro Archipelago，Caribbean Sea，Panama［J］. Marine Pollution Bulletin，145：343?356.DOI：10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.076 . | |
| Bearzi G， Agazzi S， Gonzalvo J， Costa M， Bonizzoni S， Politi E， Piroddi C， Reeves R R，2008. Overfishing and the disappearance of short?beaked common dolphins from western Greece［J］. Endangered Species Research，5（1）：1?12.DOI：10.3354/esr00103 . | |
| Bearzi G， Fortuna C M， Reeves R R，2009. Ecology and conservation of common bottlenose dolphins（Tursiops truncatus）in the Mediterranean Sea［J］. Mammal Review，39（2）：92?123.DOI：10.1111/j.1365-2907.2008.00133.x . | |
| Bearzi G， Politi E， Agazzi S， Azzellino A，2006. Prey depletion caused by overfishing and the decline of marine megafauna in eastern Ionian Sea coastal waters（central Mediterranean）［J］. Biological Conservation，127（4）：373?382.DOI：10.1016/j.biocon.2005.08.017 . | |
| Bearzi G， Reeves R R， Notarbartolo?Di?Sciara G， Politi E， Ca?adas A， Frantzis A， Mussi B，2003. Ecology，status and conservation of short?beaked common dolphins Delphinus delphis in the Mediterranean Sea［J］. Mammal Review，33（3?4）：224?252.DOI：10.1046/j.1365-2907.2003.00032.x . | |
| Buckland S， Anderson D， Burnham K， Laake J，1993. Distance sampling：estimating abundance of biological populations［J］. Biometrics，50（3）：891?892.DOI：10.2307/2404172 . | |
| Ceballos G， Ehrlich P R， Dirzo R，2017. Biological annihilation via the ongoing sixth mass extinction signaled by vertebrate population losses and declines［J］. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America，114（30）：E6089?E6096.DOI：10.1073/pnas.1704949114 . | |
| Chang N N， Shiao J C， Gong G C，2012. Diversity of demersal fish in the East China Sea：implication of eutrophication and fishery［J］. Continental Shelf Research，47：42?54.DOI：10.1016/j.csr.2012.06.011 . | |
| Cheng Z， Pine M K， Li Y， Zuo T， Niu M， Wan X， Zhao X， Wang K， Wang J，2021. Using local ecological knowledge to determine ecological status and threats of the East Asian finless porpoise，Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri，in south Bohai Sea，China［J］. Ocean & Coastal Management，203. DOI：10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105516 . | |
| Chen Weizhong，1994. Current situation of major economic fish resources in the East China Sea region［J］. Marine Fisheries，（4）：163?167.（in Chinese with English abstract） | |
| Corsolini S， Focardi S， Kannan K， Tanabe S， Borrell A， Tatsukawa R，1995. Congener profile and toxicity assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls in dolphins，sharks and tuna collected from Italian coastal waters［J］. Marine Environmental Research，40（1）：33?53.DOI：10.1016/0141-1136(94)00003-8 . | |
| Daniel Anadon J， Gimenez A， Ballestar R， Perez I，2009. Evaluation of local ecological knowledge as a method for collecting extensive data on animal abundance［J］. Conservation Biology，23（3）：617?625.DOI：10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.01145.x . | |
| Ding H， Xu H， Wu J， Le Quesne W， Sweeting C， Polunin N，2008. An overview of spatial management and marine protected areas in the East China Sea［J］. Coastal Management，36（5）：443?457.DOI：10.1080/08920750802445916 . | |
| Fearnbach H， Durban J， Parsons K， Claridge D，2012. Photographic mark?recapture analysis of local dynamics within an open population of dolphins［J］. Ecological Applications，22（5）：1689?1700. | |
| Findlay C R， Ripple H D， Coomber F， Froud K， Harries O， van Geel N C F， Calderan S V， Benjamins S， Risch D， Wilson B，2018. Mapping widespread and increasing underwater noise pollution from acoustic deterrent devices［J］. Marine Pollution Bulletin，135：1042?1050.DOI：10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.042 . | |
| Gu W D， Swihart R K，2004. Absent or undetected? Effects of non?detection of species occurrence on wildlife?habitat models［J］. Biological Conservation，116（2）：195?203. | |
| Gui D， Yu R， He X， Tu Q， Chen L， Wu Y，2014. Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of persistent organic pollutants in Indo?Pacific humpback dolphins（Sousa chinensis） from the Pearl River Estuary，China［J］. Chemosphere，114：106?113.DOI：10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.04.028 . | |
| Hoyt E，2011. Marine protected areas for whales dolphins and porpoises：a world handbook for cetacean habitat conservation［M］. Second edition. London：Earthscan，19?35. | |
| Jaramillo?Legorreta A M， Cardenas?Hinojosa G， Nieto?Garcia E， Rojas?Bracho L， Thomas L， Ver Hoef J M， Moore J， Taylor B， Barlow J， Tregenza N，2019. Decline towards extinction of Mexico’s vaquita porpoise（Phocoena sinus）［J］. Royal Society Open Science，6（7）：11.DOI：10.1098/rsos.190598 . | |
| Jiang Hong， Cheng Heqin， Arreguín?Sánchez F，2010. Exploring fisheries strategies for multi?criteria decision making：a case study of the East China Sea［J］. Resources Science，32：612?619.（in Chinese with English abstract） | |
| Karanth K U， Gopalaswamy A M， Kumar N S， Vaidyanathan S， Nichols J D， MacKenzie D I，2011. Monitoring carnivore populations at the landscape scale：occupancy modelling of tigers from sign surveys［J］. Journal of Applied Ecology，48（4）：1048?1056.DOI：10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02002.x . | |
| Lewison R L， Crowder L B， Wallace B P， Moore J E， Cox T， Zydelis R， McDonald S， DiMatteo A， Dunn D C， Kot C Y， Bjorkland R， Kelez S， Soykan C， Stewart K R， Sims M， Boustany A， Read A J， Halpin P， Nichols W J， Safina C，2014. Global patterns of marine mammal，seabird，and sea turtle bycatch reveal taxa?specific and cumulative megafauna hotspots［J］. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America，111（14）：5271?5276.DOI：10.1073/pnas.1318960111 . | |
| Li S， Akamatsu T， Dong L， Wang K， Wang D， Kimura S，2010. Widespread passive acoustic detection of Yangtze finless porpoise using miniature stereo acoustic data?loggers：a review［J］. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America，128（3）：1476?1482.DOI：10.1121/1.3455829 . | |
| Lin M L， Xing L R， Fang L， Huang S L， Yao C J， Turvey S T， Gozlan R E， Li S H，2019. Can local ecological knowledge provide meaningful information on coastal cetacean diversity? A case study from the northern South China Sea［J］. Ocean & Coastal Management，172：117?127.DOI：10.1016/j.ocecoaman. 2019.02.004 . | |
| Liu C Y， Wang R， Gao H， Wu X H， Yin D Q，2022. Transport of trace metals and their bioaccumulation in zooplankton from Changjiang（Yangtze River） to the East China Sea［J］. Science of the Total Environment，851. DOI：10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158156 . | |
| Liu J， Chen B， Jefferson T A， Wang H， Yang G，2017a. Trace element concentrations，risks and their correlation with metallothionein genes polymorphism：a case study of narrow?ridged finless porpoises（Neophocaena asiaeorientalis）in the East China Sea［J］. Science of the Total Environment，575：628?638.DOI：10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.062 . | |
| Liu M， Lin M， Turvey S T， Li S，2017b. Fishers’ knowledge as an information source to investigate bycatch of marine mammals in the South China Sea［J］. Animal Conservation，20（2）：182?192.DOI：10.1111/acv.12304 . | |
| Liu M， Lin M， Li S，2022. Species diversity and spatiotemporal patterns based on cetacean stranding records in China，1950?2018［J］. Science of the Total Environment，822. DOI：10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153651 . | |
| MacKenzie D I， Nichols J D，2004. Occupancy as a surrogate for abundance estimation［J］. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation，27（1）：461?467. | |
| MacKenzie D I， Nichols J D， Hines J E， Knutson M G， Franklin A B，2003. Estimating site occupancy，colonization，and local extinction when a species is detected imperfectly［J］. Ecology，84（8）：2200?2207.DOI：10.1890/02-3090 . | |
| Magera A M， Flemming J E M， Kaschner K， Christensen L B， Lotze H K，2013. Recovery trends in marine mammal populations［J］. PLoS ONE，8（10）. DOI：DOI10.1371/journal.pone. 0077908 . | |
| Malcolm E G， Coleman S E， Smith E M， Cooke M E， Jeff H R， Ellick R M， Volker K M，2023. The potential use of skin and liver as biomarkers to estimate mercury in the brain，kidney，and muscle of bottlenose dolphins（Tursiops truncatus）［J］. Marine Pollution Bulletin，191.DOI：10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114903 . | |
| Mallory M L， Gilchrist H G， Fontaine A J， Akearok J A，2003. Local ecological knowledge of ivory gull declines in Arctic Canada［J］. Arctic，56（3）：293?298. | |
| Mellinger D K， Stafford K M， Moore S E， Dziak R P， Matsumoto H，2007. An overview of fixed passive acoustic observation methods for Cetaceans［J］. Oceanography，20（4）：36?45.DOI：10.5670/oceanog.2007.03 . | |
| Moan A， Bjorge A，2023. Pingers reduce harbour porpoise bycatch in Norwegian gillnet fisheries，with little impact on day?to?day fishing operations［J］. Fisheries Research，259. DOI：10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106564 . | |
| Noble M M， Harasti D， Fulton C J， Doran B，2020. Identifying spatial conservation priorities using traditional and local ecological knowledge of iconic marine species and ecosystem threats［J］. Biological Conservation，249. DOI：10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108709 . | |
| Parsons E C M， Jefferson T A，2000. Post?mortem investigations on stranded dolphins and porpoises from Hong Kong waters［J］. Journal of Wildlife Diseases，36（2）：342?356.DOI：10.7589/0090-3558-36.2.342 . | |
| Pauly D， Christensen V， Dalsgaard J， Froese R， Torres F. 1998. Fishing down marine food webs［J］. Science，279（5352）：860?863.DOI：10.1126/science.279.5352.860 . | |
| Piroddi C， Bearzi G， Gonzalvo J， Christensen V，2011. From common to rare：the case of the Mediterranean common dolphin[J]. Biological Conservation，144（10）：2490?2498.DOI：10.1016/j.biocon.2011.07.003 . | |
| Puente E， Citores L， Cuende E， Krug I， Basterretxea M，2023. Bycatch of short?beaked common dolphin（Delphinus delphis） in the pair bottom trawl fishery of the Bay of Biscay and its mitigation with an active acoustic deterrent device（pinger）［J］. Fisheries Research，267：106819.DOI：10.1016/j.fishres.2023.106819 . | |
| Read A J， Drinker P， Northridge S，2006. Bycatch of marine mammals in US and global fisheries［J］. Conservation Biology，20（1）：163?169.DOI：10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00338.x . | |
| Ripple W J， Estes J A， Beschta R L， Wilmers C C， Ritchie E G， Hebblewhite M， Berger J， Elmhagen B， Letnic M， Nelson M P， Schmitz O J， Smith D W， Wallach A D， Wirsing A J，2014. Status and ecological effects of the World’s Largest Carnivores［J］. Science，343（6167）. DOI：10.1126/science.1241484 . | |
| Sanchez?Carnero N， Rodriguez?Perez D， Counago E， Le Barzik F， Freire J，2016. Species distribution models and local ecological knowledge in marine protected areas：the case of Os Minarzos（Spain）［J］. Ocean & Coastal Management，124：66?77.DOI：10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2016.02.008 . | |
| Segan D B， Bottrill M C， Baxter P W J， Possingham H P，2011. Using conservation evidence to guide management［J］. Conservation Biology，25（1）：200?202.DOI：10.1111/j.1523-1739. 2010.01582.x . | |
| Song K J，2018. Bycatch of cetaceans in Korea fisheries in the East Sea［J］. Fisheries Research，197：7?9.DOI：10.1016/j.fishres.2017.10.002 . | |
| Storelli M M， Marcotrigiano G，2002. Subcellular distribution of heavy metals in livers and kidneys of Stenella coeruleoalba and Tursiops truncatus from the Mediterranean Sea［J］. Marine Pollution Bulletin，44（1）：74?79.DOI：10.1016/S0025-326X(01)00221-1 . | |
| Sutherland W J， Pullin A S， Dolman P M， Knight T M，2004. The need for evidence?based conservation［J］. Trends in Ecology & Evolution，19（6）：305?308.DOI：10.1016/j.tree. 2004. 03.018 . | |
| Turvey S T， Barrett L A， Hart T， Collen B， Hao Y， Zhang L， Zhang X， Wang X， Huang Y， Zhou K， Wang D，2010. Spatial and temporal extinction dynamics in a freshwater cetacean［J］. Proceedings of the Royal Society B?Biological Sciences，277（1697）：3139?3147.DOI：10.1098/rspb.2010.0584 . | |
| Turvey S T， Pitman R L， Taylor B L， Barlow J， Akamatsu T， Barrett L A， Zhao X， Reeves R R， Stewart B S， Wang K，2007. First human?caused extinction of a cetacean species?［J］. Biology Letters，3（5）：537?540.DOI：10.1098/rsbl.2007.0292 . | |
| Turvey S T， Risley C L， Moore J E， Barrett L A， Hao Y， Zhao X， Zhou K， Wang D，2013. Can local ecological knowledge be used to assess status and extinction drivers in a threatened freshwater cetacean?［J］. Biological Conservation，157：352?360.DOI：10.1016/j.biocon.2012.07.016 . | |
| Xiong Yiran， Cui Ruifei， Peng Fei， Wang Qian，2022. Concentrations and dietary risk of heavy metals in the seafood from the coastal area of the East China Sea and remote ocean areas［J］. Journal of Anhui Agricultural Sciences，50：147?151.DOI：10.3969/j.issn.0517-6611.2022.05.037. （in Chinese with English abstract） | |
| Yang Guang， Xu Shixia， Chen Bingyao， Shan Lei，2018.Advances in marine mammal research in China［J］. Acta Theriologica Sinica，38（6）：572-585.DOI：10.16829/j.slxb.150254. （in Chinese with English abstract） | |
| Yang S B， Li S F， Jin Y， Liu Z L，2023. Changing trends in cetacean strandings in the East China Sea：identifying relevant variables and implications for conservation and management［J］. Diversity?Basel，15（10）.DOI：10.3390/d15101082 . | |
| Zhai Y， Li P， Zhang Q， Zhang P， Li S，2024. Geographic and tissue?specific variations of the trace elements and trophic niches of three offshore cetaceans in Chinese waters［J］. Journal of Hazardous Materials，465：133380.DOI：10.1016/j.jhazmat. 2023.133380 . | |
| 王丕烈，2012. 中国鲸类［M］.第一版. 北京：化学工业出版社. | |
| 江红，程和琴， Arreguín?Sánchez F，2010. 多准则渔业管理政策优选研究：以东海为例［J］. 资源科学，32（4）：612?619. | |
| 杨光，徐士霞，陈炳耀，单磊，2018. 中国海兽研究进展［J］. 兽类学报，38（6）：572?585.DOI：10.16829/j.slxb.150254 . | |
| 陈卫忠，1994. 东海区主要经济鱼类资源近况［J］. 海洋渔业，（4）：163?167. | |
| 周开亚，2004. 中国动物志兽纲第九卷·鲸目、食肉目海豹总科、海牛目［M］. 北京：科学出版社，1?326. | |
| 熊怡然，崔芮菲，彭菲，王茜，2022. 东海近海及远洋捕捞水产品中重金属污染特征及膳食风险［J］. 安徽农业科学，50（5）：147?151.DOI：10.3969/j.issn.0517-6611.2022.05.037 . |
/
| 〈 |
|
〉 |
青公网安备 63010402000199号
青ICP备05000010号-2
