NANJING - A survey conducted in 2021 showed that about 96 finless porpoises were spotted in the Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River in East China, an important distribution area of aquatic wildlife under state protection.

Compared with 2020, the density of fish resources in the Jiangsu section of the Yangtze has increased significantly, and the population of the Yangtze finless porpoise has also increased, according to a report jointly released by competent authorities under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Jiangsu Provincial Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute.

Owing to improved water quality, the distribution range, population and suitable ecological environment of Yangtze finless porpoises are expanding, said Zhang Jianjun, deputy director of the provincial agriculture and rural affairs department, citing latest scientific investigation.