A finless porpoise swims in the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, April 5, 2022. [Photo/VCG]

A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249, up 23.42% from five years ago, according to a press conference held on February 28, 2023.

Ma Yi, an official with the ministry, attributed the increase to the 10-year fishing ban in the key waters of China's Yangtze River which was imposed in 2021 with the aim of ecological conservation.