Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Chinese white dolphin'

Seasonality of reproduction in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), bottlenosed dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and humpbacked dolphins (Sousa chinensis) was examined using standard light microscope techniques. In the males four stages of testicular development could be identified. Individuals less than 2.26m in length and 105kg in mass had testes that contained small seminiferous tubules (0.048mm ± O.Olmm in diameter) and were classified either as juveniles (gonocytes present) or inactive (no gonocytes). Adults whose testes contained spermatozoa were said to be in late spermatogenesis while those whose testes contained no spermatids or spermatozoa were referred to as being in early spermatogenesis. In the males of D. delphis, T. aduncus and S. chinensis, late spermatogenesis occurred throughout the year and there was no significant difference in the monthly mean seminiferous tubule diameters (p > 0.05) within species. I conclude therefore that in these three species spermatogenesis is aseasonal. No conclusions about seasonality of spermatogenesis could be made for S. coeruleoalba owing to the small sample size. Large Graafian follicles occurred in the ovaries of all four species in most months of the year. However, the presence of Graafian follicles can not be taken as an indication of timing of reproduction since they may be remnants of follicles that have not yet degenerated. In D. delphis, T. aduncus and S. coeruleoalba luteal bodies (corpora albicans or corpora lutea) occurred in most months of the year. Active corpora lutea will be present in all months, in some members of the population, since gestation is approximately 12 months. The sperm structure of D. delphis was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The sperm of D. delphis is essentially similar to that described for two other species of Cetacea (Physeter catodon and Tursiops aduncus), having an ellipsoidally shaped head and a short mid-piece with nine mitochondria. The sperm dimensions for D. delphis were head length, 4.4pm; head width, 2.0pm and mid-piece length, 2.4pm. An analysis of foetal age in D. delphis showed that the majority of the foetuses were conceived in January with birth occurring the following summer (December), suggesting that reproduction is seasonal. Neonates of T. aduncus were found throughout the year suggesting aseasonal reproduction. Foetal material was not available for S. coeruleoalba and S. chinensis. Seasonality of reproduction in the four species of dolphins studied has been discussed in relation to feeding, migration and worldwide distribution of the species.

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) is one of the residential cetaceans in Hong Kong. It is threatened by different anthropogenic activities and one of the threats is the vessel disturbance. According to the past research studies and scientific data, the heavy marine traffic has caused negative impacts to the dolphins, by increasing the risk of boat collisions; creating a noisy environment within the dolphin habitats; causing short-term behavioural changes of dolphins and dolphins may have potential to displace from the Hong Kong waters in the long-term. The current conservation and mitigation measures are inadequate and ineffective towards this situation. An action plan is formulated based on the literature review of the practices from other countries and the results of the questionnaire survey. Mitigation measures such as speed restriction, re-routing or use of technology tools are common measures used by other countries such as the United States or Spain. From the results of the questionnaire survey, the high-speed ferry passengers were willing to spend 23.5 minutes more of their trips for a speed restriction or a longer ferry route in order to reduce the vessel impacts to the dolphins. At the same time, they were willing to pay for HKD 9.26 extra as a surcharge on the ferry fare to serve as a financial support to the dolphin or marine conservation in Hong Kong. It reflected the public had a high willingness to pay for the dolphin conservation in Hong Kong. The action plan summarized the practical mitigation measures according to these findings in order to suggest sound conservation and management measures to the related authorities to mitigate the impacts and to stop the declining trends of dolphin abundance in Hong Kong waters.
published_or_final_version
Environmental Management
Master
Master of Science in Environmental Management

Populations of the humpback dolphin in Natal, South Africa, are subject to increasing pressures including capture in the shark nets and habitat degradation, and concern has been raised about the status of the population. A minimum of 95 humpback dolphins were caught in the shark nets during the period from 1980 to 1992. Capture and sighting records of the Natal Sharks Board revealed a relatively high occurrence of humpback dolphins at Richards Bay. Elsewhere, in southern Natal, the infrequent sightings and captures were attributed to a seasonal occurrence of dolphins, possibly due to temporary movements away from resident areas. Sighting rates reported by the Natal Sharks Board has decreased by 55%from 1984-86 to 1990-92 and may reflect a decrease in the population. In a photo-identification study, searches took place in ten search areas in Natal. The sighting rates in the different areas revealed a relatively high density of humpback dolphins occurring in north central Natal, from the Tugela River to the St. Lucia estuary (including Richards Bay). This distribution correlated significantly with the turbidity of the water and the width of the inshore continental shelf, and was inversely related to the density of bottlenose dolphins. Within the northern Tugela Bank region, higher densities of dolphins were found surrounding the five river mouths and estuaries. The Natal population was estimated to be between 161 to 166 animals (95% confidence limits 134 to 229). The annual mortality due to shark net captures approximates 4,5%of the population. Various evidence, including a high mortality rate and a decrease in the annual sighting per unit effort reported by the Natal Sharks Board suggest that the humpback dolphin population in Natal is vulnerable and may be decreasing in size. A proposal is made to reduce the capture rate by relocating shark nets away from the Richards Bay harbour.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1994.

碩士
國立中山大學
海洋事務研究所
99
The critical endangered species has become one of the main concerns regarding the loss of biodiversity in the 21th century. It is also a new challenge for the protection of the endangered Chinese White Dolphin (CWD) which was discovered living along the western coast of Taiwan since the year 2002. It has a large overlapping occurred in the coastal place where the CWD population is inhabited around with human’s development activities. Therefore, the conservation actions are emergently needed tasks and immediately entangled with difficulties. The present study employs the qualitative tool to investigate the institutional policy on the conservation strategies related to the protection of endangered CWD. These include documental analysis of literatures, interviews, and observations to identify the key concepts for the conservation strategies. The interactions among context of the strategies, actions to impacts and threats, and scientific contributions are also analyzed. The results are assessed according to three levels of conservation objectives, i.e. the individual/population, habitat, and ecosystem. The formal regulations cover the individual/population level much less than the habitat and ecosystem levels. The policies and scientific efforts are mostly concerned on the individual/population and habitat levels. The ecosystem level is ignored. The legal guidelines have set for the impacts and threats to the conservation policy, but there is lack of scientific investigation and input. It is imperative to emphasize the intensive interaction between scientific research and conservation strategies. The scientific development is obviously one of the key institutional policies of conservation. This study examines three issues in relevance to the development of conservation strategies and the implementation of management. Furthermore, the present work concludes that the conservation strategy must perceive to a correct direction for future planning and implementation, in order to integrate the conservation capacity and achieving the comprehensive conservation results.

碩士
國立金門大學
海洋與邊境管理學系碩士班
105
Because Chinese white dolphins have now become a treasure of Kinmen waters. Engaged in rare wild species conservation work, in addition to dedication, but also by the good movement of the rules and regulations can bear fruit. The study seeks to understand the legal issues that need to be addressed in white dolphin conservation. Due to the overlap of the Chinese White Dolphin living area and fishery activities, if only the analysis of the wildlife protection law, it is insufficient to develop a complete conservation system. Consequently, it is necessary to combine fishery laws with other marine protect rules and regulations to support marine mammal conservation affairs. Chinese white dolphins on the verge of extinction situation, reflecting the deterioration of the marine environment. Over time, few other marine organisms can escape the doom. Therefore, in order to ensure that marine resources can be safely grown, friendly use and pollution prevention measures, with routine monitoring, will not only protect a single marine species, but also for all marine resources. Although the domestic marine conservation regulations are close to comprehensive, but the local conditions of Kinmen waters, whether the need to establish marine protected areas and a special set of provisions to protect the Chinese white dolphins, yet to be studied. At this point it is necessary to compare the different forms of marine protected areas, and comb the regulations involved in the provisions of the white dolphin conservation, and then compile a conservation law for the Chinese White dolphins in Kinmen waters. Kinmen waters is located in Jiulong River estuary, where is the distribution periphery of Chinese white dolphin population. If the conservation work takes into account the inter domain mobility, it will involve cross-strait cooperation mechanism. Whether it is a convention agreement or a common policy, it is necessary for the executive unit to do its due diligently and the people are willing to abide by the cooperation and try to avoid acts that harm the sea and protect the regulations system.

碩士
國立臺灣海洋大學
海洋事務與資源管理研究所
96
The amounts of Chinese White Dolphins in the world have declined because their habitats have overlapped with human activities. Countries take conservation measures, and even establish or designate protected areas to protect them. The western coast of Taiwan is the most developed region in the country; major industrial areas are concentrated within these areas. Experts have sighted Chinese White Dolphins along the western coast of Taiwan (Miaoli County to Tainan County) from 2002. They think these dolphins are isolated and have a unique population structure in Taiwan. From past scientific survey they have estimated that the population of the specie is possibly fewer than 200 individuals. Experts have appeal to both government and private sectors to respect the endangered status of Chinese White Dolphins in Taiwan. Therefore, this study compiles major research findings based on literature review, on-site observation, in-depth interview and the concept of overlay technique to discuss the status of the western coast of Taiwan and plan the feasibility of a Chinese White Dolphins marine protected area. Based on the lessons learnt from neighboring allies such as China and Hong Kong, planning and management schemes can be adopted to best fulfill Taiwan’s proposed ideas and goals for its MPA. This study illustrates that conservation of Chinese white dolphin is urgent and imperative, and further suggests that there is a need to：(1) based on available information there is a need to plan a marine protected area for Taiwan’s Chinese White Dolphins； (2) continue ecological survey on Chinese White Dolphins along the western coast of Taiwan； (3) investigate other cetaceans species, their distribution and status along the western coast of Taiwan, and setting up a data bank； (4) enhance public awareness on marine environment; coastal and river development should be more cautious in the future； and (5) propose a draft Marine Mammal Act for cetaceans in Taiwan.

碩士
國立成功大學
海洋科技與事務研究所
100
Global environmental awareness has been raised to attach great importance to the enfluence of deteriorated green house effect. Most of countries have devoted to the development of renewable resource and the ways of how to manipulate due to the exhaustion of fossil fuel. Taiwan is located in monsoon zone and surrounded by ocean, therefore, that is contributed to the exploitation of the offshore wind power. As well as, it would be able to assist the relative development of green energy industries in the future. However, the developments of the offshore wind energy may harm Chinese white dolphin which is lived in the west of coastal area in Taiwan. Our concern is to consider the impact and affect range. This is because its have to decrease the environmental impact due to develop the offshore wind energy. At the same time, it has to provide relational research and data for assisting a balance between offshore wind development and ecological conservation. This study aims on the data of marine water quality, undersea noise, Chinese White Dolphin ecology data, and offshore wind energy foundation to analize the ecological influences of Chinese White Dolphin. At the same time, this research will investigate the relationship between marine water quality and communication in underwater acoustic. According to marine water quality data and the monitoring data, this research evaluates the level of influence and harmful range for marine mammal from undersea noise of the offshore wind energy. Finally, this study will integrate the way of noise suppression device for the planning of an appropriate site to build offshore wind farm. According to the results, that was showed that the influence range of undersea noise is approximately 2,000 meter. And the habitat of Chinese White Dolphin is approximately 8 meter water depth. In addition, this research analyze the offshore sea area where are available in the west of Taiwan. Thus, the central part of Taiwan’s offshore area is the goal place to build the offshore wind energy in Zhanghua. Consequently, in order to protecte the habitate of the Chinese White Dolphin, this stusy suggests that offshore wind towers have to build in a field that is out toward the offshore over 2,000 meter and the water depth over 8 meter. The present research of the undersea noise research by offshore wind energy focuses on the evaluation of the period of the piling. However, our concern is to consider the long term influence after operating the offshore wind energy. Hence, a new thinking of the operational noise has to intrdduce to the assessment of offshore wind farm.

碩士
國立中山大學
海洋事務研究所
100
Following the global warming and climate change in the last twenty years, one of key actions on maintaining biodiversity is to save critical endangered species with aspect of intergrated management. Our study aims to explore integrated mechanism inside the case of Chinese White Dolphin conservation in Taiwan throught a qualitative research approach. The integrated mechanism was also understood under a concept of social-ecological system and analysed with a framework that was modified mitigation-adaptation model used to apply on climate change study. The capacity of management measures including of mitigation and adaptation was explored on three levels, i.e. animals, habitat, and society. Differences of the capacity in these three levels were compared between the cases in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The study also tried to point out possible responders who should conduct these conservation measures from a questionnaire survey. The statistical analysis revealed none of top measures must be under the responsibility of government in these three levels. The analysis showed that there is no correlation between the implementation of measures and the governmental responsibility. In addition, the top-six measures were mainly in the marine environment level and four of the measures had been implemented. In the analysis about governmental responsibility top-seven measures, should be under the responsibility of developers, instead of the government. Some suggestions were given at the end for integrated management of Chinese White Dolphin conservation in Taiwan.

碩士
國立成功大學
海洋科技與事務研究所
100
The abundance of eastern Taiwan Strait subpopulation (EST) of Chinese white dolphin was estimated to be less than 90 individuals. This species is categorized as critically endangered in the IUCN Red list of threatened species, thus immediate measures of protection should be taken to prevent them from extinction in Taiwan. Currently, the government plans to designate this area as important habitat for conservation of the species, which will affect the original marine use and cause conflicts among multiple stakeholders with competing interests. The study is to explore the attitude among the stakeholders and propose a management measures to alleviate the conflicts. This study employs a semi-structured interview and a questionnaire survey of local fishermen. The interview is intended to explore various stakeholders’ perceptions and response regarding the designation of protection area for conservation of Chinese white dolphin. Based on the findings of the interviews, a questionnaire was designed to discuss factors regarding the designation of important habitat for conservation of the Chinese white dolphin. Results from interviews indicated that the subsistence of fishermen remians a major problem. It was found that stakeholders have different perceptions of the fishermen’s attitude towards conservation and also thought that enforcement of illegal fishing is controversial. Quantitative research showed that fishermen are generally positive with the conservation of Chinese white dolphin but are less willing to participate in the planning process. Most fishermen considered temporary fishing closure is feasible for the conservation but were not confident with the enforcement of such measures. Further comparison showed that fishermen using different fishing gears may have different perspectives towards the restriction on the use of driftnet and their participation in the conservation of Chinese White Dolphin. This study also reviewed the current status for the planning of important habitat of Chinese White Dolphin in Taiwan and gave recommendations for future efforts in the goal for better conservation for this endangered species.

The ecology and population biology of bottlenose and humpback dolphins inhabiting the Maputo Bay, Southern Mozambique were studied through boat based photoidentification surveys and behavioural methods between December 1995 and December 1997. Data from preliminary surveys carried out in 1992 are also included. Bottlenose dolphins occurred throughout the year in Maputo Bay, but were sighted infrequently (36% of surveys). Their occurrence and group size were significantly larger during winter. Group size of bottlenose dolphins not differ significantly between months, daylight hours, semi-lunar tidal cycles and depth. Most identifiable bottlenose dolphin individuals had low site fidelity, but nursing females had relatively high site fidelity, implying that Maputo Bay is a nursing area. The group dynamics of bottlenose dolphins suggests a fluid (fission-fusion) social organisation. Age and sex appears to influence the degree of association between individuals. An influx of bottlenose dolphins occurred during winter and influenced group size and occurrence. Bottlenose dolphins occurred in restricted areas of the Bay, preferring the north eastern area (the pass between the Bay and the Ocean), and along the 3 km strip from the east coast of Inhaca Island. Their distribution here did not vary with depth, although they did not occur in intertidal areas. Feeding dominated both frequency and proportion of time of bottlenose dolphin behaviour. Social behaviour accounted for a small proportion of time (10%) and was greater in open unsheltered areas. Neither season, nor depth, nor daylight, nor tides influenced the proportion of time allocated to the types of behaviours. Non directional movement occurred on most of the sightings of bottlenose dolphins, but smaller groups of dolphins moved inshore at high tide late in the afternoon. Few bottlenose dolphin births were observed and the numbers of animals born varied between years. Recruitment rates at six months and one year were low and mortality rates of calves appeared high, but were probably inaccurate because the fate of mother-calf pairs that left the area could not be established. Population estimates of the bottlenose dolphins varied between 170 and 526 individuals. The precision of these estimates was poor, because of high proportion of transient individuals which almost certainly violated some model assumptions. Humpback dolphins occurred throughout the year in Maputo Bay, but were sighted infrequently (21% of surveys). The occurrence and group size of humpback dolphins were not influenced by season, months, daylight, semi-lunar tidal cycles and depth. Groups of humpback dolphins in Maputo Bay were the largest observed along the east coast of Southern Africa. Most identified humpback dolphin individuals showed low site fidelity, but a relatively high proportion of individuals (including nursing females) had high site fidelity. Humpback dolphin groups had a fluid (fission- fusion) social organisation, but there was a large proportion of stable associations between resident individuals. Age and sex appears to influence the degree of association between individuals. An influx of humpback dolphin individuals occurred during summer but did not change group size or occurrence, suggesting the occurrence of an outflux of other individuals. Humpback dolphins in the Bay ranged between the deep north eastern Maputo Bay to the southern intertidal areas. Most sightings occurred within 1 km from shore along the eastern coast of Inhaca Island, at variable depth. Humpback dolphins spent more time feeding (57%) and travelling (30%) than socializing and resting, because of their movements between extensive intertidal areas and deep channels. Social behaviour contributed a small proportion of time (10%), but increased when humpback dolphins moved towards and within shallow sheltered areas. Neither season, nor depth, nor daylight, nor tides influenced the proportion of time allocated to the types of behaviours of this species. Non directional movement occurred on most of the sightings of humpback dolphins, thought this was significantly influenced by diurnal tides. Few humpback dolphin births were observed and their numbers varied between years. Recruitment rates at six months and one year were low and mortality rates appeared high, but were probably inaccurate because the fate of mother-calf pairs that left the area could not be established. Population estimates of humpback dolphins varied between 105 and 308 individuals, but their precision was poor, because of a high proportion of transient individuals which almost certainly violated some model assumptions. Maputo Bay is a feeding, breeding and nursing area for bottlenose and humpback dolphins. These species are threatened by intense fishing activity, habitat degradation, coastal development and disturbance by powerboats and other activities (tourism, port) carried out in and around Maputo Bay. Their low estimated growth rates imply the implementation of precautionary conservation measures. The actual distribution of these species may reflect the deterioration of the habitats in the western part of the Bay. A coastal zone management plan to address environmental problems affecting the dolphin species need to be formulated and implemented.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Tsang, Yin Ting Anton.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 373-402).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
Acknowledgements --- p.i
Abstract --- p.iv
論文摘要 --- p.viii
Table of Contents --- p.xi
List of Tables --- p.xvii
List of Figures --- p.xxiii
Chapter Chapter 1 --- Who are “our dolphins and their MPA´ح？ - A general introduction
Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1
Chapter 1.1.1 --- What is a MPA? --- p.1
Chapter 1.1.2 --- Why MPAs? --- p.2
Chapter 1.1.3 --- MPAs & Cetaceans --- p.3
Chapter 1.2 --- MPAs & Marine Conservation in Hong Kong --- p.5
Chapter 1.3 --- The Mascot of Hong Kong ´ؤ The Chinese White Dolphin --- p.8
Chapter 1.3.1 --- Cetaceans in Hong Kong --- p.8
Chapter 1.3.2 --- History of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins --- p.9
Chapter 1.3.3 --- Taxonomy of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins --- p.11
Chapter 1.3.4 --- General Descriptions of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins --- p.12
Chapter 1.3.5 --- Distribution of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins --- p.13
Chapter 1.3.6 --- Conservation Status of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins & Threats that They are Facing --- p.14
Chapter 1.4 --- The “Dolphin Sanctuary´ح？ - Sha Chau & Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park --- p.15
Chapter 1.5 --- Significance & Objectives of This Study --- p.18
Chapter 1.6 --- Study Areas --- p.19
Chapter 1.7 --- Organization of This Thesis --- p.21
Chapter Chapter 2 --- "How are our dolphins doing in the MPA? - Abundance, behaviour and habitat use of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins within and outside the marine park"
Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.27
Chapter 2.2 --- Methodology --- p.30
Chapter 2.2.1 --- Field Sampling --- p.30
Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Dolphin survey --- p.30
Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Collection of information on physical parameters --- p.34
Chapter 2.2.2 --- Data Analysis --- p.35
Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Definition of parameters --- p.35
Chapter a) --- Seasonality --- p.35
Chapter b) --- Dolphin observation regions and areas --- p.36
Chapter c) --- Standardization of effort --- p.37
Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Statistical analysis --- p.38
Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.41
Chapter 2.3.1 --- Observability --- p.41
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Distribution of Dolphin Sightings --- p.42
Chapter 2.3.3 --- Number of Dolphin Sightings --- p.46
Chapter 2.3.4 --- Dolphin Sightings at Different Tidal Movements --- p.48
Chapter 2.3.5 --- Sighting Rate and Density of Dolphin Sightings --- p.49
Chapter 2.3.6 --- Composition --- p.54
Chapter 2.3.7 --- Group Size --- p.56
Chapter 2.3.8 --- Dive Times --- p.59
Chapter 2.3.9 --- Behaviours --- p.62
Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.64
Chapter 2.4.1 --- Identifying “Hotspots´ح --- p.64
Chapter 2.4.2 --- Areas other than “Hotspots´ح --- p.71
Chapter 2.4.3 --- Is SLMP Effective? --- p.72
Chapter 2.4.4 --- Seasonality of the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins --- p.75
Chapter 2.5 --- Chapter Summary --- p.77
Chapter Chapter 3 --- How is our MPA doing to the dolphins? - Factors affecting the abundance and behaviours of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins
Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.129
Chapter 3.2 --- Methodology --- p.132
Chapter 3.2.1 --- Field Sampling --- p.132
Chapter 3.2.1.1 --- Fish survey --- p.132
Chapter 3.2.1.2 --- Traffic count --- p.133
Chapter 3.2.2 --- Data Analysis --- p.135
Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- Definition of parameters --- p.135
Chapter a) --- Food species --- p.135
Chapter b) --- Regions and study areas --- p.136
Chapter c) --- Standardization of effort --- p.137
Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- Statistical analysis --- p.137
Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.140
Chapter 3.3.1 --- Abundance & Biomass of Fish --- p.140
Chapter 3.3.2 --- Diversity & Species Richness of Fish --- p.153
Chapter 3.3.3 --- Distribution & Density of Vessel Traffic --- p.158
Chapter 3.3.4 --- Patterns of Vessel Traffic --- p.164
Chapter 3.3.5 --- "Relationship among Dolphin, Fish & Vessel Traffic" --- p.166
Chapter 3.3.5.1 --- Fish & dolphin --- p.166
Chapter 3.3.5.2 --- Traffic & dolphin --- p.167
Chapter 3.3.5.3 --- "Fish, vessel traffic & dolphin" --- p.173
Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.174
Chapter 3.4.1 --- How Was the Fish Doing to the Dolphins? --- p.174
Chapter 3.4.2 --- How Was Traffic Doing to the Dolphins? --- p.179
Chapter 3.4.3 --- Is SLMP Effective? --- p.184
Chapter 3.4.4 --- Limitations of This Study --- p.187
Chapter 3.5 --- Chapter Summary --- p.189
Chapter Chapter 4 --- An example to follow or a lesson to learn? - The effectiveness of Sha Chau & Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park in conserving the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins
Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.275
Chapter 4.2 --- Methodology --- p.279
Chapter 4.2.1 --- Source of Data --- p.279
Chapter 4.2.1.1 --- Dolphin survey --- p.279
Chapter 4.2.1.2 --- Fish survey --- p.280
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Data Analysis --- p.281
Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- Definition of parameters --- p.281
Chapter a) --- Years --- p.281
Chapter b) --- Standardization of effort --- p.282
Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Statistical analysis --- p.283
Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.284
Chapter 4.3.1 --- Comparison of Dolphin Survey Results --- p.284
Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Abundance --- p.284
Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Group size --- p.286
Chapter 4.3.1.3 --- Behaviours --- p.287
Chapter 4.3.2 --- Comparison of Fish Survey Results --- p.289
Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Fish abundance & biomass --- p.289
Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Fish species & diversity --- p.294
Chapter 4.3.3 --- Trends of Dolphin & Fish --- p.297
Chapter 4.3.3.1 --- Dolphin trends --- p.297
Chapter 4.3.3.2 --- Fish trends --- p.299
Chapter 4.3.3.3 --- Correlations between dolphin & fish trends --- p.301
Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.302
Chapter 4.4.1 --- How Were the Dolphins & Fish doing Throughout These Years? --- p.302
Chapter 4.4.2 --- Further Implications on Cetacean Conservation in Hong Kong --- p.306
Chapter 4.4.3 --- Is SLMP Effective? --- p.309
Chapter 4.4.4 --- Limitations of This Study --- p.315
Chapter 4.5 --- Chapter Summary --- p.316
Chapter Chapter 5 --- "How shall our dolphin MPA be doing? - Summary, conclusions & further recommendations"
Chapter 5.1 --- Summary & Conclusions --- p.358
Chapter 5.2 --- Further Recommendations --- p.364
Chapter 5.2.1 --- Larger MPA for the CWD in the Pearl River Estuary --- p.364
Chapter 5.2.2 --- Fishing Management --- p.366
Chapter 5.2.3 --- Traffic Management --- p.367
Chapter 5.2.4 --- Developmental Management --- p.368
Chapter 5.3 --- PLEASE ACT FAST!! --- p.369
List of References --- p.373

碩士
國立臺灣海洋大學
環境生物與漁業科學學系
104
The purpose of this study is to discuss the coopetition of fishery and the establishment of major wildlife habitats for Chinese White Dolphin(CWD).Corresponding strategies are developed in hope of reach a win-win situation. The results are summarized as follows: a. Chinese White Dolphin population, living along the western coast of Taiwan, is categorized as critically endangered(CR) in the IUCN RED List of Threatened Species. Currently, the CWD population faces threat of human activity, including fishing activity, reduced flows of freshwater on estuarine systems, marine pollution, declined habitats and underwater noise. b. Although fishery of Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin is gradually declining, fishery is still important economic resources for local residents. The fishers there have maintained the concept of conservation, reasonable use of aquatic organisms, and compliance with the measurements of fishery resources conservation which benefits the sustainable development of fishery. c. However, most of the established area of major wildlife habitats for Chinese White Dolphin, about 76,300ha,has overlapped with the exclusive fishing right area of Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, as well as the costal fisherman’s major fishing grounds. Thus, establishing major wildlife habitats without appropriate corresponding strategies would be bound to affect fisherman’s livelihood and face fierce opposition. d. The reasons of fisherman’s opposition and the conflicts between fishery and major wildlife habitats are that the designed area is so broad that most of it overlapped with fisherman’s fishing grounds. Besides, the fisherman’s still harbors doubts about government’s ability to reinforce laws. And currently, the scientific evidence is insufficient to support the establishment of designated area and clarify the real facts which causes the death of CWD. e. The reasons that fishery can benefit from wildlife habitats is the effectiveness of restraining human development activities from disrupting ecological habitats. Also, the major wildlife habitat can protect the CWD as well as the habitats of local fish, and can further conserve fishery resources. With the spillover effect from marine protected areas, stable fishery resources are provided for CWD and fisherman . f. The strategy to reduce conflicts between fishery and the establishment of major wildlife habitats is the utilization of zoning ordinance to establish major wildlife habitats. If the major wildlife habitats overlap with fisherman’s major fishing grounds, it is needed for the government to make management plans with fisherman. It is also important to keep gathering more information on habitat utilization of CWD and timely approve invasive research methods in order to further make sure the activity range of CWD and clarify the physiological status, the food source and other related information of CWD. g. The government should boost its ability of law enforcement, strengthen the enforcement of legal regulations related to environmental protection, keep monitoring and regularly assessing the status of fish resources and conservation objectives in the major wildlife in order to ensure sustainable fishery and achievement of goals of establishing major wildlife habitats.

碩士
國立中山大學
海下科技暨應用海洋物理研究所
102
Cetaceans is a kind of marine mammals that lives by sound, which uses high-frequency echolocation click to probe the environment, as well as uses low-frequency whistle to identify different individuals for social activities. However cetacean surveys are often limited by climate and depth of the coastal water , in order to compensate for the shortage of visual observation, this study used sonobuoy acoustic system to measure the whistle of Chinese White Dolphins, to observe its appearance in time and spatial distribution, and analyze the local ocean ambient noise. Three experiments were conducted at southern end of river mouth of Tadu River in July-August 2010, sonobuoys were deployed at different depth and distance from shore. Statistics of recorded whistles show 40% of appearance every hour, the main appearance time of white dolphins were 06:00~12:00 and 16:00~24:00. The activity range of white dolphins is 13m of depth (most frequently at 5m) and within 4.4km offshore. The foraging behavior of white dolphins was inferred by means of this activity model. In terms of tidal variance, white dolphins had different preferences for tidal activities according to the distances from shore observed from the three experiments, but their whistles centered from ebb to dry tide. For the ambient noise analysis of the habitat of white dolphins, the nighttime ambient noise was noisier than the daytime, which was probably caused by frequent night fishing and fish sounds. In addition, the far-shore ambient noise was noisier than the near-shore since most of fishing operations were far away from shore. Furthermore, it was found in the ship noise experiment conducted in the Kaohsiung Harbor that the noise generated by out board boats tended to shadow the whistles of white dolphins, approximately at 3-6 kHz, more likely than the noise generated by fishing boats. Nevertheless, the influence of noise on the activities of Chinese white dolphins is still uncertain so far. It was proved in this study that underwater acoustical measurements can be employed to establish references for future long-term research on Chinese white dolphin.

碩士
國立中山大學
海洋事務研究所
100
Whales and dolphins, especially small cetaceans which inhabit rivers and coastal waters, are under the threats from environmental change, habitat destruction, and pollution. Since previous studies haven’t deeply explored the relationship between marine mammal conservation and fishery catches, in this study, we focused on the objective is on the correlation between fishery catches and feeding sources of Chinese white dolphin. About 17 years (1993-2009) of fish catch data from fishery annual reports in the six counties (from Miaoli to Tainan) along the western coast of Taiwan, was used as the data source of the meta-analysis, which set four major prey categories of Chinese white dolphin, i.e., primary prey fish, secondary prey fish, potential prey fish and other prey fish. The study showed the following nine results. First of all, the change of total amount of fish production in six counties was changing irregularly；in recent years, the amount of potential prey fish and other prey fish catches were increasing. Secondly, the decline of primary prey fish was due to the reduced production of Mugilidae . Thirdly, the secondary prey fish catch formed the major catches during 1999-2004 while Sparidae species was the dominated species. The potential prey fish amount was consistent, except in 1994 when Chanidae production was extremely high, making it the major components species. In accordance with Chinese white dolphin distribution hot spot, north hot spot primary prey fish families were Sciaenidae and Trichiuridae. In addition, the amount of south hot spot was irregularly distributing during 1999-2004. For the non-hot spot in the Changhua’s coast, the prey fish production of Mugilidae was decreasing year by year and the non-hot spot in the Tainan’s coast, the prey fish was mainly composed of other prey fish after 2002. However, in these 17 years, the number of fishing vessels increased, yet the total catch decreased. This may imply that the coastal fishery resources is depleted. The discussion on improvement about the fishery annual report and prey resources investigation were also made. At the last, we proposed two suggestions on the issues about hot spot management and enhancing fishery resources restoration.