Pink dolphins resurfacing in Hong Kong waters during pandemic.
Pink dolphins are returning to Hong Kong waters and staying longer due to decreased levels of pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts have attributed the rising numbers are due to reduced sea traffic and a more hospitable marine environment.
Pink dolphins- also known as Chinese white dolphins, are Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and native to the Pearl River Estuary. According to WWF Hong Kong, they are considered a vulnerable species. Since 2013, their population drastically decreased from 2,500 pink dolphins to 2,000 last year. In Hong Kong, the numbers have plunged from 188 in 2013 to 32 in 2018, but have risen to 52 last year.
Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society chairman Taison Chang stated that:-
“The rebound makes us feel a bit optimistic, but the number remains at a very low level.”
Since February, the suspension of cross border ferries coupled with reduced ocean and river vessels coming into Hong Kong has enabled pink dolphins to spend more time in their natural habitat in the waters around Lantau Island. With reduced water and noise pollution, the time the dolphins have spent in the area has increased from 1.2 hours per 24 hour period to 2.6 and as high as 4.3 hours. Experts have hypothesised that their extended presence in the area could represent several things, such as dolphins are staying longer, and/ or it could be that there are more pink dolphins that first thought.
Dr. David Baker (“Dr. Baker”), an associate professor with the Swire Institute of Marine Science of the University of Hong Kong, notes that apart from reduced water traffic, the sharp decline of visitors resulted in less waste and cleaner waters. He stated that:-
“Better water quality can lead to strong, successful reproduction of marine life, and the cleaner water can mean more baby coral in the coming months. That’s going to be a positive outcome for our local marine ecology. It will allow our local ecosystems to heal and replenish themselves.”
While the lockdown has had a positive impact on Hong Kong’s environment such as reducing water and air pollution, this may only be temporary. Experts have warned that the situation can reverse quickly once lockdown measures are removed. Dr. Baker in particular, has warned of a quick and drastic U-turn if we are not careful: -
“Unfortunately, our normal life wasn’t very sustainable with respect to the environment. If we rush back to the way we were living before, we may miss the lessons that we could learn from the pandemic, especially with respect to the environment and how to take better care of it.”
Not all measures in place during the pandemic have been positive though. With more people staying home, the increased use of online shopping and takeaway food has produced an influx of plastic waste such as disposable packaging materials and cutlery. Masks, hand sanitiser bottles have also been found on beaches and underwater.
It is important that we continue to be mindful of the waste we produce and minimize the impact it causes to our environment.
The Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society is the only society dedicated to conservation of whales, dolphins and porpoises in Hong Kong. To learn more about how we can better protect the marine life in Hong Kong please visit their website.
Courtesy of Arial Ng.
Main Source: SCMP