Challenges and priorities for river cetacean conservation

Elizabeth Campbell, Joanna Alfaro-Shigueto, Enzo Aliaga-Rossel, Isabel Beasley, Yurasi Briceño, Susana Caballero, Vera M.F. da Silva, Cédric Gilleman, Waleska Gravena, Ellen Hines, Mohd Shahnawaz Khan, Uzma Khan, Danielle Kreb, Jeffrey C. Mangel, Miriam Marmontel, Zhigang Mei, Vanessa J. Mintzer, Federico Mosquera-Guerra, Marcelo Oliveira-da-Costa, Mariana PaschoaliniShambhu Paudel, Ravindra Kumar Sinha, Brian D. Smith, Samuel T. Turvey, Victor Utreras, Paul André Van Damme, Ding Wang, Tara Sayuri Whitty, Ruth H. Thurstan, Brendan J. Godley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

River cetaceans are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts due to their constrained ranges in freshwater systems of China, South Asia, and South America. We undertook an exhaustive review of 280 peer-reviewed papers and grey literature reports (1998−2020) to examine the current status of knowledge regarding these cetaceans and their conservation. We aimed to better understand the scale of threats they face, and to identify and propose priority future efforts to better conserve these species. We found that the species have been studied with varying frequency and that most of the research on threats has focused on habitat degradation and fragmentation (43%, mainly driven by dams and extractive activities such as sand mining and deforestation), and fishery interactions (39%, in the form of bycatch and direct take). These threats occur across all species, but more information is needed, primarily on quantifying the population impacts as a basis for designing mitigation measures. Other threats identified include pollution, vessel collisions, traditional use, and poorly managed tourism. Emerging methods such as environmental DNA and unmanned aerial vehicles are described for studying these species. Promising conservation inter - ventions include cetacean-specific protected areas, natural ex situ protection, community-led conservation, and education programmes. However, transnational political will is required for a step change towards broad-scale protection in freshwater environments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13-42
Number of pages30
JournalEndangered Species Research
Volume49
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Bycatch
  • Dams
  • Dolphin−fishery interactions
  • Emerging methods
  • Management
  • Research prioritisation
  • River dolphins
  • Threat

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