Executive steering committee: Director Chen Zheng Guo, Dr Randal Reeves, August Pfluger and Dr Wang Ding.

The concept of an International Baiji Conservation Committee was first proposed over a decade ago, yet never came to fruition simply because no organization stepped forward with the time and resources to help set it up and manage its coordination. The repercussions of this failure to act were only too obvious at the recent 2004 Workshop. Participants found themselves discussing similar ideas and opinions expressed at the 1993 international Baiji Conservation Workshop. The message was clear: failing to establish a driving force to coordinate baij conservation efforts had resulted in complete inertia.

New life was breathed into the idea at the "Workshop on the Conservation of the Baiji and Finless Porpoise 2004" and the baiji.org Foundation has been given the mandate to set up and coordinate the new committee. Participants unanimously agreed that the committee should be set up immediately and according to the following terms of reference:

Terms of Reference for the New International Baiji Conservation Committee:

Purpose: 1) To coordinate all efforts to save the baiji and to provide expertise and advice to the Chinese government on preferred practices for conserving the baiji and Yangtze finless porpoise, 2) Coordinate the use of international funding and "in kind" support for baiji conservation.

Functions:

• Provide scientific review of proposals for internationally funded projects
• Advise on particular issues of interest as needed
• Provide disciplinary technical advice as needed
• Coordinates the use of international funding and in kind support for baiji conservation. Facilitate building of capacity in baiji collection, captive management and medicine in China.
• Advise on reintroduction of dolphins and porpoises when the Yangtze River habitat is suitable

A subcommittee (consisting of baiji.org/IHB staff) will provide information at regular intervals to the Committee on progress of baiji initiatives in the form of a monthly e-mail.

Composition: It is suggested that the Ministry of Agriculture of China create a Baiji Conservation Committee comprised of Chinese and International members from the IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group, Nanjing Normal University, Wuhan Institute of Hydrobiology, the Ministry of Agriculture's Fisheries Management Bureau, Provincial Fisheries Management Authorities (Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiansu, Jiangxi) and Changjiang Fisheries Resource Management Committee, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Fisheries Agency of Japan, Institute of Cetacean Research (Japan) and NGO's such as baiji.org Foundation, Conservation International, WWF, Pacific Environment, International Foundation for Animal Welfare, and the Wuhan Baiji Conservation Foundation. (Representatives may represent ,ore than one organization or agency). The Ministry of Agriculture may add other members from organizations that make significant contributions to the baiji conservation efforts.

Goal: THE GOAL IS TO HAVE A CLOSE KNIT, FUNCTIONING CONSERVATION COMMUNITY

Recommendations: It is recommended that the committee be established immediately. It will take time for the group to be ready to take action. In the interim, the group proposes that an Interim Executive Committee, comprised of Professor Zhou Kai Ya (Nanjing Normal University), Chen Zheng Guo (Changjiang Fisheries Resource Management Committee, Ministry of Agriculture), Professor Wang Ding (Wuhan, Institute of Hydrobiology), Dr Randal Reeves (IUCN/SSC Cetacean Specialist Group) and Mr August Pfluger (baiji.org Foundation). This group will be supported by Leigh Barrett (baiji.org Foundation) and Hao Yu Jiang (Wuhan Institute of Hydrobiology). There may also be a need ad hoc working groups to address particular issues as they arise.