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Fisherman builds Chinese white dolphin protection base on Donghai Island

By Xu Lili Updated: 2015-12-17

Zhuang Hongqing, a fisherman who lives on Donghai Island, Zhanjiang, spent 500,000 yuan ($77,150) building a protection base for Chinese white dolphins in October, 2015.

The base, which is the first of its kind in West Guangdong, aims to protect the fish, which are under top-level national protection, and better inform people about them.

Zhuang has a deep affinity with Chinese white dolphins. He recalls that one day, when he was six years old, he went swimming in the sea with his father. Suddenly, he saw three pink "big fish" around him. His father told him they were "god fish" for fisherman.

Later he knew that their real name is Chinese white dolphins. Every day when he went fishing, a pod of the dolphins accompanied him.

There are more than 200 of the species in Leizhou Bay; the number is second only to that in the Pearl River estuary in southern China.

In 2007, Leizhou Bay was listed as a Chinese white dolphin natural reserve area in Zhanjiang. However, many animals have been accidentally injured and killed by improper fishing methods such as drift netting and trawling.

Zhuang established a volunteer team to protect Chinese white dolphins in 2009. He also plans to set up a foundation for their protection.

Fisherman builds Chinese white dolphin protection base on Donghai Island

Chinese white dolphins appear off Donghai Island, Zhanjiang, Dec 7. [Photo by Zhang Fengfeng/gdzjdaily.com.cn]

Fisherman builds Chinese white dolphin protection base on Donghai Island

Zhuang Hongqing points to a Chinese white dolphin off Donghai Island, Zhanjiang, Dec 7. [Photo by Zhang Fengfeng/gdzjdaily.com.cn]

Edited by Peter Nordlinger

 

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