More than 20 Bryde's whales have been found near Beihai's Weizhou Island. [Photo/gx.people.cn]

More than 20 Bryde's whales have been tallied near Beihai's Weizhou Island. This is the first pod of large whales found living in China's inshore area.

A large number of whales inhabit the vast seas surrounding China, the majority of which live far from shore. Large whales are a rare sight in an inshore area, said Yang Guang, dean of the School of Life Sciences at Nanjing Normal University.

Two Bryde's whales stick their heads out of the water. [Photo/gx.people.cn]

According to Chen Bingyao, an associate professor of life science at the university, whales are a barometer for the health of a marine ecosystem. The appearance of the Bryde's whale suggests a healthy environment around Weizhou Island.

Few fishing boats disturb the area, which is filled with Harengula zunasi Bleeker, a type of fish and the Bryde's whale's favorite meal.

A Bryde's whale plays with some sea gulls. [Photo/gx.people.cn]