Increased Fishing in the Yangtze
Also to be blamed for the extinction of the baiji was the advent of modern fishing gear, which resulted in high incidental mortality of the species. A large number of dolphins died after getting entangled in fishing gear, as they were not able to surface to breathe. Then came the concept of electric fishing, which made hunting of this harmless species even easier. By the beginning of the 21st century, electric fishing had become the biggest threat for the survival of this species.