Yangtze River Porpoise Scientific Expedition Diary: I am a "Special Observer" of the Yangtze River Porpoise

On September 19, 2022, the Yangtze River finless porpoise scientific survey was officially launched. This survey is the fourth Yangtze River finless porpoise scientific survey after 2006, 2012 and 2017. It is also the first basin-wide species systematic survey after the implementation of the ten-year fishing ban in the Yangtze River. It is of great significance to the protection of Yangtze River finless porpoises and even the entire Yangtze River ecosystem.

The first time I really came into contact with the finless porpoise was when I visited the Baiji Dolphin Pavilion of the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2020. When you see the legendary "smiling angel" with your own eyes, I believe that few people can fail to be moved by the water elf in front of you. It is shy, smart, graceful, and rare. Scholars of three generations have devoted countless efforts to protect this species. Perhaps it was because of that fate that I had the honor to join the Yueyang Dongting Lake Finless Porpoise Conservation Center two years later and contribute to the protection of finless porpoises.

In fact, long before I joined the company, I was looking for information based on the time rules of previous scientific expeditions, hoping to participate in this year's full-basin survey. So when I heard that I had the opportunity to join this scientific expedition, I was very excited. Before leaving, Director Hu Qiang of the center specifically told us to obey the team's arrangements, overcome all difficulties, and fully support the scientific expedition. In this way, on September 16, 2022, Deputy Director Sun Qi of the center and I officially became a member of the scientific expedition from Yichang to Chenglingji on behalf of the unit, and came to Jingzhou to prepare for the voyage.

After theoretical training and practical operation, we boarded the research vessels 020 and 025. As in previous years, the method used in this expedition was the intercept sampling survey method, which is a scientific research method widely used in the survey of whale populations. I was assigned to the visual group, responsible for using a telescope to observe the river surface from -10° to 90°. When a finless porpoise is found, the number, direction and distance of the finless porpoise should be reported to the recorder in the middle. In addition, the recorder should also record the direction of navigation, water depth, ship speed, satellite positioning, passing ships and personnel and other information. The research vessel 020 also arranged an independent observer as one of the bases for data calibration. Unlike previous years, this year computer recording software was used as an auxiliary tool to improve the efficiency of information recording.

As a newcomer, I naturally had many questions during the scientific expedition, but fortunately, the team members were very helpful. During the voyage, I received enthusiastic help and patient answers from Teacher Hao Yujiang, Teacher Zhang Xinqiao, Dr. Wang Chongrui, Dr. Wang Ruilong and other teammates. Through the actual operation in the past few days, I solved many questions in my mind. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect!

Image source: Yueyang Dongting Lake Porpoise Conservation Center

The scientific expedition process is both interesting and tiring. Almost everyone needs to stand for a long time and use the telescope for a long time. After a few days of scientific expedition, even if the novelty has faded, everyone sticks to their posts, and no team member complains about the hardship. Scientific expedition is such a serious and earnest thing, and coincidentally, we also have a group of dedicated and patient team members!

Image source: Yueyang Dongting Lake Porpoise Conservation Center

Image source: Yueyang Dongting Lake Porpoise Conservation Center

On the way to Yichang, green mountains and clear waters came into view, and the scenery was different every ten miles, which was beautiful. The clean and modern cities along the river and the mother river flowing eastward made me feel the true meaning of green mountains and clear waters being gold and silver mountains. It must be said that the ten-year fishing ban carried out for the sake of future generations and the environment and ecology is slowly showing its huge benefits.

Image source: Yueyang Dongting Lake Porpoise Conservation Center

Image source: Yueyang Dongting Lake Porpoise Conservation Center

Image source: Yueyang Dongting Lake Porpoise Conservation Center

When the team members observed the finless porpoise, they were able to restrain their inner joy and conscientiously complete their duties. In their spare time, many teammates wrote excellent poems to express their feelings. The scientific expedition team is really full of talents! Inspired by everyone, I also followed suit and wrote a doggerel:

Green water waves support green mountains.

The silver waves keep pushing the white boat.

The orange-clad man looked far ahead with his courage.

Gray dolphins play on the green beach following the wind.

Image source: Yueyang Dongting Lake Porpoise Conservation Center

Image source: Yueyang Dongting Lake Porpoise Conservation Center

Image source: Yueyang Dongting Lake Porpoise Conservation Center

The expedition has entered the middle stage, and the team members are still full of passion. Through these days of work, I have learned a lot, and also made friends from various brother units, and gained a lot. In the next few days, I will complete the Dongting Lake survey with my teammates to bring our segmented expedition to a successful conclusion. Finally, I wish this expedition can ride the wind and waves like the healthy and lively finless porpoises, and everything goes well!

Image source: Jimu News

Produced by | Science Popularization China

Author: Shi Jie Yueyang Dongting Lake Dolphin Conservation Center

Producer｜China Science Expo

Submitted by: Computer Information Network Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences

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