Spatial–temporal variations in biosonar activity of Yangtze finless porpoise in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and its correlation with underwater noise: Are quieter non‐shipping branches the remaining shelters?

Yangtze finless porpoise (YFP) is Critically Endangered, It relies on its biological sonar sensing system for important life activities. The rapid development of the Yangtze valley has brought busy shipping, which has resulted in increased noise. Two locations on the shipping channel and non‐shipping branch were selected. Passive acoustic monitoring was used to record the biosonar signals of porpoises and underwater noise. The number of click trains, echolocation encounters, buzzes and buzz ratios were counted and the root mean square sound pressure level of noise was calculated in five diel phases. A non‐parametric test was used to analyse the differences among different phases and between different locations. The aim of the study was to detect the spatial and temporal variations in the biosonar activity of YFPs and underwater noise between non‐shipping and shipping channels, and to provide scientific advice for YFP conservation. Significant spatial and temporal patterns were observed both in biosonar activity and noise. Average biosonar activity, including click trains, buzzes, buzz ratio and echolocation encounters, was higher in the non‐shipping channel than in the shipping channel, whereas the noise level was higher in the shipping channel than in the non‐shipping channel. In the non‐shipping channel, the buzz numbers and buzz ratios, indicators of porpoise feeding activity, were higher at night than during the day while the noise level was higher during the day than at night. These findings may be associated with the noise avoidance strategies of YFPs to adapt to the busy shipping on the Yangtze River. Maintaining the non‐shipping status of some branches of the Yangtze River can provide more shelters for the YFPs. Strengthening the measures for banning navigation at night or reducing the vessel speed at night throughout the entire year would improve the YFPs’ feeding success.