Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
China designates protected habitat for Bryde’s whales off Weizhou Island
China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has designated an important habitat for Bryde’s whales off Weizhou Island in Guangxi.
The protected area covers 335.43 square kilometres and is China’s first designated important habitat for Bryde’s whales.
The whales are a nationally protected species that migrate through the area.
From December to April, they come to the waters around the island to feed and live.
Monitoring since 2018 has identified more than 70 individual whales there.
Fishing will be banned for 8.5 months each year, including from December through April and during the South China Sea’s seasonal fishing closure from May 1 to August 16.
The restrictions aim to reduce disturbance from fishing, ships and whale-watching tourism, and to support the whales’ survival and long-term protection.
China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has designated a protected habitat for Bryde’s whales off Weizhou Island in Guangxi.
The habitat covers 335.43 square kilometres and has a fishing ban lasting 8.5 months each year.
The designation is intended to protect the whales and reduce disturbance from fishing, shipping and whale-watching tourism.
More than 70 individual whales have been identified in the area since monitoring began in 2018.
- Who
- China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs designated the habitat. Bryde’s whales use the area.
- What
- The ministry established an important habitat for Bryde’s whales.
- When
- The ministry announced the designation on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Off Weizhou Island, Beihai, Guangxi, China.
- Why
- To protect the whales and their habitat, support the population’s sustainability and reduce disturbance from human activities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Monitoring began in the waters off Weizhou Island.
The ministry announced the designation of the Bryde’s whale habitat.
Bryde’s whales migrate to the area to feed and live.
The fishing ban combines a special ban from December through April with the South China Sea seasonal fishing moratorium from May 1 to August 16.
- Habitat area
- 335.43 square kilometres
- Annual fishing ban
- 8.5 months
- Whales identified
- More than 70 since monitoring began in 2018
- Special fishing ban
- December through April
- South China Sea seasonal fishing moratorium
- May 1 to August 16
- Location
- Weizhou Island, Beihai, Guangxi, China
Sources
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