Guangxi Hepu National Dugong Nature Reserve Retained in National Protected Areas Optimization List

On October 15, 2024, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Natural Resources jointly released the latest Public Notice on the Integration and Optimization of National Nature Protected Areas. Within the accompanying List of National Protected Areas for Integration and Optimization, Guangxi’s Hepu National Dugong Nature Reserve was designated for “retention.” This decision preserved the reserve’s original expanse of 19,365.65 hectares, with only a minor adjustment of 0.03 hectares removed.
The last Chinese dugong found in Shatin Guangxi. Photograph by Prof. John MK Wong

Overall speaking, the publication of the Public Notice reflects a significant restructuring, reducing the total number of protected areas by 2,504 sites. 

My view is that the decision to maintain Hepu as a national-level nature reserve stands out as a good sign in safeguarding key marine ecosystems and iconic species, a point welcomed by conservation advocates.

Located in Beihai City within Guangxi Province, the Hepu National Dugong Nature Reserve is specifically designated to protect rare marine species, such as the dugong and the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, as well as their coastal habitats. Spanning from Yingluo Port in Shankou Town to the marine areas near Shatian Town, the reserve’s coastline stretches for 43 kilometers, with precise geographic coordinates forming a protected boundary for these endangered animals. Established in April 1986, the reserve encompasses diverse marine ecosystems within a complex underwater terrain, providing essential support for local biodiversity and ecological stability.

Notably, this reserve is China’s only nature reserve explicitly established for dugong conservation. However, a study published in 2022 by the Royal Society Open Science journal indicates that dugongs in China have faced a dramatic population collapse over recent decades. Often thought to be the origin of the mermaid myth, dugongs are now “functionally extinct” in China.

Despite this decline and functionally extinction in China, dugongs are migratory animals, and given favorable ecological restoration efforts, there remains hope that they might one day return to Chinese waters. The retention of the Hepu National Dugong Nature Reserve represents a cautious optimism for dugong conservation, preserving habitat with the potential for future recovery.

Can dugongs come back to Chinese waters? That's our hope. Picture: John Wong | CBCGDF-OceanWetands
————
Observation by Linda
Edited by Daisy

References: 
1. “The Last Song of the ‘Mermaid’: 14 Years without Sightings, Dugongs Functionally Extinct in China,” CCTV News, 2022 
2. Introduction to the Guangxi Hepu National Dugong Nature Reserve, Guangxi Ecology and Environment Department

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

Do you know? We rely on crowdfunding and donations. You have the opportunity to help an international movement to advance biodiversity conservation. Donate TODAY to power up the movement to make it a better world for all life.

Donation(501C3)Paypal: intl@wbag.org

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=2EYYJJZ8CGPLE


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 2024 World Water Forum Opens in Indonesia's Bali

Image
The 2024 World Water Forum (10th WWF) under the theme of "Water for Shared Prosperity" officially opened on Indonesia's island of Bali on Monday. This year ’ s theme emphasizes the need to work together to promote efficient and integrated water resources management to common prosperity. The 10th WWF ’ s six subthemes are: Water Security and Prosperity; Water for Humans and Nature; Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; Governance, Cooperation and Hydro-diplomacy; Sustainable Water Finance; and Knowledge and Innovation. This year, the Forum is expected to host 350 sessions, and receive 100,000 participants and visitors, 56 ministers, 12 heads of state, and about 2,000 journalists. The 10th World Water Forum focuses on four topics, namely water conservation, clean water and sanitation, food and energy security, and mitigation of natural disasters. The 10th WWF   is jointly organized by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the World Water Council. The Forum is th...
Read more

Bridging Borders for Wildlife: John E. Scanlon AO Recognized with China's Highest Honor - Chinese Government Friendship Award

Image
Congratulations to our dear friend and best teacher, John E. Scanlon AO, for honored the remarkable achievement - The Chinese Government Friendship Award!   On September 27, 2023, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs) held a prestigious ceremony in Beijing to present the Chinese Government Friendship Award. The Chinese Government Friendship Award is China's highest honor bestowed upon foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to the country's modernization and reform and opening-up efforts. John E. Scanlon AO, an esteemed ecological conservation and sustainable development expert hailing from Australia (UK), received this distinguished award. His unwavering commitment and significant contributions to global wildlife conservation efforts, along with his deep friendship with people of China, earned him the Chinese Government Friendship Award. John E. Scanlon has dedicated his life to the protection of a...
Read more

Unveiling the Mysteries of Cetaceans in the South China Sea: Chinese Scientists Describe Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs)

Image
The world’s ocean ecosystems are facing mounting threats—climate change, marine pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction due to human activities, to name a few. These pressures are particularly dangerous for marine mammals like cetaceans, whose survival hinges on healthy habitats and stable populations. Yet, in regions like the South China Sea, where biodiversity is exceptionally high, little research has been done to understand the needs and habitats of cetaceans. This lack of data has left a gap in our knowledge and made it challenging to establish targeted conservation strategies. Recognizing this, Chinese scientists have now set out to fill these gaps and contribute essential data to inform future policy and management, aiming to protect these vulnerable species and support the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). In a landmark study published on October 8, 2024, in Biological Conservation, Dr. Li Songhai and his team from the Institute of...
Read more