CA|RDS Lite: A rapid assessment of site management against the Conservation Assured | River Dolphin Standards

Abstract

This paper introduces the inaugural rapid evaluation of river dolphin habitats, coinciding with managed sites in Asia and South America. Covering all six river dolphin species (including the sole freshwater porpoise worldwide), each is classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Conservation Assured | River Dolphin Standards (CA|RDS) offer tailored guidelines for the proficient oversight of protected areas for river dolphins. The abbreviated CA|RDS version, termed CA|RDS Lite, involves a questionnaire-based survey conducted by managers and stakeholders at 40 sites across 10 of the 14 countries within the river dolphin range. Both continents face river dolphin endangerment from fishing and climate change. In Asia, risks are more diverse, with smaller populations compared to South America. Insufficient funding and management capacity emerge as significant hurdles. Inadequate collaboration with areas outside the protected area boundary impedes effective river dolphin population management. Encouragingly, the survey highlights active involvement of local communities and stakeholders in site management. CA|RDS Lite offers a quick overview of site management efficacy, pinpointing crucial management requirements and urgent river dolphin sites necessitating intervention. It also sets the stage for the complete application of CA|RDS standards and their use as an accreditation and management instrument.