China News Service, Dalian, February 19 (Reporter Yang Yi) Recently, the State Forestry and Grassland Administration of China and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China issued the newly adjusted "National Key Protected Wildlife List" announcement. Level 1 protected wildlife was promoted to National Level 1 protected wildlife.
Lu Zhichuang, a researcher at the Liaoning Academy of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, said in an interview with reporters on the 19th that the protection of harbor seals has a long way to go, and it is necessary to start the survey of harbor seal populations as soon as possible.
Harbor seals are the only pinnipeds that can breed in China's waters. The northern ice zone of the Bohai Sea Liaodong Bay is the southernmost of the eight breeding areas for harbor seals in the world.
According to estimates, there are only about 2,000 harbor seal populations left in China's waters, which are endangered species.
Lu Zhichuang said that because of interest-driven incidents of illegal capture and trading of harbor seals, domestic experts and scholars have called for the protection of harbor seals to be upgraded for many years. This promotion will be a milestone in strengthening the protection of harbor seals.
According to Lu Zhichuang, according to the “Wildlife Protection Law” of China, the protection levels of wild animals are different. There are differences in the approval authority for development and utilization management, administrative punishments for illegal acts, and criminal responsibility. In the future, the protection of harbor seals Law enforcement will be further strengthened.
"The road to the protection of harbor seals is a long way to go.” Lu Zhichuang suggested strengthening the patrol and law enforcement for the protection of harbor seals in coastal areas, and at the same time strengthen publicity, especially in remote areas.
"At present, our annual survey can only be for one point or area, and the accuracy of the population size is not enough." Lu Zhichuang said that the population survey of harbor seals has been more than ten years ago, and the population of harbor seals needs to be investigated as soon as possible. to evaluate.
According to reports, Liaodong Bay is a breeding area for harbor seals around the world. From January to March every year, harbor seals give birth at the mouth of the Liaohe River in the Liaodong Bay of the Bohai Sea.
Lu Zhichuang revealed that in early January this year, the Liaoning Provincial Academy of Marine and Fisheries Sciences launched a survey on harbor seals. Based on the current situation, the number of harbor seals this year is equivalent to that of previous years.
In view of the fact that harbor seals give birth on ice and are subject to major changes in weather, wind and waves, local authorities have launched a special action to protect harbor seals, focusing on monitoring and patrolling the habitat of harbor seals, and investigating illegal activities such as hunting and killing harbor seals.
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