Distribution pattern of finless porpoises at the junction of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake observed by towed passive acoustic device

The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is an endangered freshwater porpoise subspecies unique to the Yangtze River basin. Without immediate conservation measures, it could soon become extinct, just as the Yangtze River dolphin (baiji, Lipotes vexillifer). We report seasonal change in the local distribution of the porpoises living in the conjunction area of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, side streams, and appended Poyang Lake. A towed stereo acoustic data-logger, A-tag, was used to detect echolocation signals and sound source bearing angles. The independent sound source directions provided the number of animals present, not just the number of sounds. Passive acoustic surveys were performed regularly from May 2007 to August 2010. The water level was highest in August (summer) and lowest in February (winter) and at mid-level in May (spring) and November (autumn). The average number of porpoises detected in 11 surveys conducted in different seasons varied from 0.53 to 1.26 individuals per km. No significant trend of reducing number of porpoises was detected during 3-y monitoring. The distribution of the porpoises was seasonally site-specific. In May and August, the animals were detected more often at river junctions than in the lake, but vice versa from November to February.