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Finless Porpoise Conservation Network
Collaborative Research Network for East Asian Finless Porpoise Conservation
Finless Porpoise
Finless porpoises (Neophocaena spp.) are a relatively small species of porpoise characterised by the absence of a dorsal fin and a body length of less than 2 meters. These opportunistic feeders inhabit coastal waters and feed on a variety of crustaceans and cephalopods. There are two finless porpoise species - the Narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) and the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides). The Narrow-ridged species is identified by its narrow dorsal ridge, and is found from the Taiwan Strait to East Asia, as highlighted in green on the map below. The Indo-Pacific species are distinguished by its broader dorsal ridge and inhabits waters from Borneo, Thailand and Singapore along the Indian coastline to the western Persian Gulf as marked in purple on the map. The narrow-ridged species inhabiting the coastlines of Korea, China and Japan is further sub categorised into two sub-species: the Yangtze River finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis), the only freshwater porpoise in the world, and the East Asian finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri) which is found in marine environments (Wang et al., 2008).
Narrow form : Narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis)
Wide form : Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)
A map of the range of the two species of finless porpoises (Wang et al., 2008)
The population size of Narrow-ridged finless porpoises (NRFP), found in the yellow sea and coasts of Japan and Taiwan is rapidly reducing due to various factors such as coastal development, pollution and bycatch. In South Korea, the government designated it as a marine protected species following a 70% population decline between 2011 and 2016 in the waters off the west coast of Korea, which are part of the Yellow Sea. In China, it is classified and monitored as a second-level endangered species. The species is also assessed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Wang and Reeves, 2017). In 2020, the IUCN World Conservation Congress adopted the Resolution WCC-2020-Rec-094: Safeguarding the Endangered Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) in the Yellow Sea. The resolution urges neighboring countries around the Yellow Sea, including South Korea, China and Japan, to form a working group and focus on ecological and biological research, monitor bycatch rates, implement bycatch reduction measures, analyse environmental threats and engage in communication with local fishers.
Sourcce: Hallyeohaesang National Park
Sourcce: Hallyeohaesang National Park
Finless Porpoise Conservation Network Background
NRFP Conservation Workshop 2024
Since 2020, the South Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has actively implemented measures to conserve the Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise (NRFP). Their efforts include forming a dedicated working group and facilitating communication among stakeholders. In September 2024, they hosted the Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise Conservation Workshop in Hong Kong as part of the International Cetacean Symposium. This event brought together over 30 experts from seven countries to discuss the ecological and biological characteristics of NRFPs, the threats they face, and potential conservation strategies. Significant knowledge gaps were identified, along with a lack of opportunities for information exchange and collaboration. Participants emphasized the importance of awareness-raising initiatives backed by scientific research to engage policymakers and other stakeholders in conservation efforts.
The workshop participants agreed to establish a platform for sharing scientific data and fostering collaboration among researchers, naming it the ‘Finless Porpoise Conservation Network’. The Finless Porpoise Conservation Network will serve as the scientific working group for implementing IUCN’s WCC-2020-Rec-094. Through continued research, the network aims to drive policy changes, raise awareness and create a collaborative framework to conserve East Asian finless porpoises.
Mission
Sustainable coexistence of East Asian finless porpoises and humans
Goals
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Collaborate for the conservation of East Asian finless porpoises
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Devise conservation strategies based on scientific research and evidence
Objective
1. Expand understanding of East Asian finless porpoises
through collaborative research and data sharing.
Establish a communication network for collecting and sharing scientific data
and lay the groundwork for effective conservation efforts.
• Research Topics
- Toxicology Studies: Analysis of chemical and biological effects on finless porpoises.
- Genetic Characterization: Investigate potential subspecies through genomic studies.
- Population Assessment: Utilize environmental DNA (eDNA) for abundance and distribution analysis.
- Health Concerns and Cause of Death (COD): Research into health issues and mortality causes.
- Standardized Methodology: Develop protocols for consistent scientific data collection.
- Behavioral Ecology: Standardize behavior coding to improve ecological understanding.
- Regional Conservation Practices: Share best practices tailored to regional needs.
2. Conduct conservation awareness-raising initiatives based on scientific research findings to promote stakeholder engagement
Gather information to raise awareness among central government officials, local government officers, fishermen, local residents, coast guard, students and the general public, and establish a dedicated team to develop and implement an effective outreach strategy.
• Topics
- Ecological Importance of Finless Porpoises: Understanding their role in the environment and ecosystem.
- Causes of Threats: Identifying the factors leading to their deaths.
- Implications of Population Declines: Highlighting why their decline is a cause for concern.
- Actionable Steps for Conservation: Practical measures to prevent further population decreases.
Planned initiatives
1. Yellow Sea Large Mammal Ecosystem, YSLME
The network’s activities are expected to contribute to incorporating finless porpoise conservation
into the YSLME Phase III project.
2. Funding Identification
Explore funding opportunities to support the network’s activities
3. Capacity Building
Engage in collaborative efforts to nurture future talent,
including researchers and conservation leaders,
through training and development initiatives
Members
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Supporters
References
Wang, J. Y., Frasier, T. R., Yang, S. C., & White, B. N. (2008). Detecting recent speciation events:
the case of the finless porpoise (genus Neophocaena). Heredity, 101(2), 145-155.
Wang, J.Y., & Reeves, R.R. (2017). Neophocaena asiaeorientalis. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 September 2019.