Months away at sea to protect China’s only population of Bryde’s whales

“In this photo, I am sitting on the deck of a fishing boat, using a walkie-talkie to coordinate with my colleagues who are dotted around the vessel: some are in the bow for observation, some at the stern and some inside the cabin, directing the captain. We’re conducting the first comprehensive marine-mammal investigation of the Northern Beibu Gulf, which is between Hainan Island province and the Chinese mainland.

I’m here because my research focuses on the study and protection of China’s only known population of Bryde’s whales (genus Balaenoptera), which migrate to the waters near Weizhou Island. Three hours by boat from my home town in Guangxi, Weizhou is known for its volcanic landscapes and sea-eroded topography. From September to April, these whales are drawn here by plentiful fish populations and a vast expanse of artificial reefs, which provide ideal habitats for hunting, dwelling and mating.

Human activities, including fishing and whale-watching tours, pose a threat to the habitat of Bryde’s whales. With local tourism increasing, my team often organizes events to educate workers and tourists about non-intrusive whale-watching.

Information on Bryde’s whales is limited globally, because they are mainly found in temperate and subtropical regions, where research capabilities can be constrained. Among the 39 whale species found in China’s waters, only the Baiji dolphin (Lipotes vexillifer), Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis), and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) have been studied systematically.

In recent years, I’ve spent more than 100 days on Weizhou, plus around 70 days at sea. My work will help to build a solid database of whale activities, not only as concrete evidence of the species’ existence, but also as an essential tool for advocating for marine ecological conservation.”

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.