The Pearl River estuary, comprising both Hong Kong SAR and Mainland Chinese waters, is the last remaining refuge of the Chinese White Dolphin. At one time, they inhabited river mouths throughout coastal China but the only group that remains in any number is that which is observed around the waters in Lantau Island, Hong Kong SAR.

In 1989, WWF Hong Kong initiated a dolphin-sighting programme as part of a "dolphin awareness" campaign. The sightings information gave us the first idea of the dolphin's estimated group size and distribution within Hong Kong waters. In addition, WWF Hong Kong volunteers regularly observed local dolphin groups and realised that not only could individual dolphins be identified but they were, predictably seen in a limited area. It was from these trips that observations were made of diminishing numbers of individuals in regularly sighted groups and from which the first population estimate was derived, i.e., between 150-350 individuals (Pryke 1993).

The first technical assessment of the population was a result of the WWF Hong Kong publicity campaign and comprised a four-day field trip study, conducted as part of a report on the impact of a new sewage outfall. This report noted that a long term and dedicated research project would be required before any estimates of populations status could be confirmed (Wursig 1993). WWF Hong Kong thus embarked upon a lobbying campaign that ultimately, led to the funding of a three year study, conducted by a local tertiary institute. After the successful completion of this study, WWF Hong Kong continued to support local research and strove for additional protection for the dolphin population.

 

The Chinese White Dolphins are internationally recognised as being vulnerable due to their close proximity to mankind and their activities. In Hong Kong these threats include: competition for food; disturbance from shipping traffic; habitat loss through development and pollution from cities, industry and agriculture. All of these threats exert what is believed to be tremendous pressure on the dolphin population.

Although it is difficult to quantify these threats, individually or combined, an increasing number of dolphins exhibiting severe skin lesions has led WWF Hong Kong to believe that current management plans, although greatly improved since the establishment of marine protected area in 1996, are still insufficient to safeguard the health and survival of the local dolphin population. In addition, infant dolphin mortality is still unsustainable high and the cause of the majority of dolphin deaths is undetermined.

 

In an effort to lobby the Hong Kong authorities on these issues, and that the continued monitoring of the dolphin population can be effectively and independently maintained, WWF Hong Kong has established the position of Dolphin Conservation Officer in 2001. Currently, the role of this officer is to conduct core research of the dolphin population, which is the backbone of the WWF Hong Kong EPSON "Our Dolphin" Programme. These research findings are also being reported to the Hong Kong authorities as well as being presented as popular articles and as educational materials for primary / secondary school.