Hong Kong’s Chinese white dolphin numbers remain critically low – and reclamation and construction could make it worse
New government report shows population stuck at historic low, and that the pink marine mammals are avoiding areas of major construction and high-speed ferries near Lantau Island’s northeast
The number of Chinese white dolphins in Hong Kong waters remains “critically low”, according to a new government report, with experts worrying that future reclamation and construction could lower it further.
Just 47 of the pink sea mammals were spotted from April 2017 to March 2018, according to the latest report by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. That is the same number as the local population sank to in 2016-17, the lowest since records began in 2003.
There were 188 in 2003. That number plunged to 87 in 2014-15, and 65 in 2015-16.
“Although we did not see a drop in numbers, it still is at a historic low. We are not optimistic,” Taison Chang Ka-tai, chairman of the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, said.
“I think we should only be optimistic when we see a recovery or a rebound in numbers.”
All 47 were spotted in the animal’s main local habitat, the waters surrounding Lantau Island. None were spotted in northeast Lantau, for the third year in a row. Most frequented west and northwest Lantau.