Analysis And Evaluation Of Protection And Management Of The Chinese White Dolphins(Sousa Chinensis)in Xiamen Rare Marine Species National Nature Reserve

Chinese white dolphin (Sousa chinensis), which is also called Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, was once widespread near the coasts of East China Sea and South China Sea. In the past few decades, there were tremendous habitat losses along the coasts of China due to the economic development. Habitat losses made Chinese white dolphin become endangered. Nowadays most of Chinese white dolphins locate in four areas in China, including Fujian, Guangdong/Hong Kong, Guangxi and Taiwan, and Zhujiangkou is the largest habitat in China. Chinese white dolphin was listed as a Grade I National Key Protected Animal in China in1988. It was also listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in1991, and was considered as "Near Threaten (NT)" level by World Conservation Union (IUCN) after2008.The offshore area around Xiamen, Fujian province is one of most the important habitats for Chinese white dolphins in China."Xiamen Chinese White Dolphin Provincial Nature Reserve" was established in1997. It was the first reserve for Chinese white dolphins in China."Xiamen Chinese White Dolphin Protection Regulation" was also published in1997. In2000,"Xiamen Chinese White Dolphin Provincial Nature Reserve" was combined with "Xiamen Provincial Egret Nature Reserve" and "Xiamen Lancelet Municipal Nature Reserve", and was renamed as "Xiamen Rare Marine Species of National Nature Reserve".Literature research, offshore survey/GIS analysis and questionnaire survey were used in this article in order to study the factors during the protection and management in "Xiamen Rare Marine Species of National Nature Reserve".By comparing the differences between domestic and overseas reserve regulations, as well as literature research, we studied the concepts, laws and regulations of international organizations, China mainland, Taiwan and other countries in this article, and figured out the weak points in China and the difference between home and abroad. In this article, we especially studied the protection and management of "Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary" and "Zhujiangkou Chinese White Dolphin National Nature Reserve", trying to search the proper protection and management methods for "Xiamen Rare Marine Species National Nature Reserve".We listed14key factors for the protection and management for "Xiamen Rare Marine Species of National Nature Reserve" by referring to "Guidelines for Marine Protected Area", which was published by IUCN and WCPA in1999, as well as considering the characteristics of the Xiamen reserve. We also did the questionnaire survey, and got123questionnaires, then did tests and analysis using those data. By using the results of the questionnaire survey, the factors of the management of the reserve were discussed comprehensively and the weaknesses and the suggestions of the reserve were proposed.By considering results of the questionnaire survey and the factors of the management of the reserve, we raised the evaluation criterion for "Xiamen Rare Marine Species of National Nature Reserve". This evaluation criterion could give an initial reference for the evaluation of "Xiamen Rare Marine Species National Nature Reserve" and other marine reserves in China.