Conservation

An Irrawaddy dolphin that died from gill-net entanglement

Conservation of the remaining Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin population is of critical importance.  It is essential that efforts are conducted immediately to secure the future of this population, before the population becomes so small that conservation efforts are futile. 

The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin population is currently small (less than 170 individuals); however the potential for effective conservation and subsequent population growth is encouraging.  Due to the restricted nature of the dolphins critical distribution (particularly during the dry season) and local communities cultural affinity for the dolphins, conservation measures have significant potential to be applied successfully and with support from the local communities.

In addition, the political will also exists to conserve the dolphins, as the Cambodian government is supportive of conservation measures and initiatives which significantly assist their conservation and management.

Threats To Dolphins In The Mekong River

The main threat to Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River is accidental catch in gillnet fisheries.

The fishermen do not want to catch the dolphins in fishing gear, but they are occasionally accidentally caught.  Dolphins must breathe air to live.  If caught in a net underwater, it often only takes 3-5 minutes for the dolphin to die.  

Additional threats exist through:

Contaminants – contaminants in the River – such as organochlorines – may be causing large numbers of newborn dolphin deaths in Kratie province.

Unregulated boat traffic at Kampi Pool, near Kratie

Tourism – if unregulated, tourism can cause major problems to the survival of localized dolphin groups, causing them stress and not giving groups enough ‘free time’ to feed, sleep and play.

Boat traffic – boat traffic can cause significant problems to dolphins through potential collision and noise harassment

Dynamite/electric fishing – these activities can kill dolphins outright, or cause significant damage to the dolphins sensitive hearing and internal organs.

Overfishing – the unsustainable exploitation of fish stocks in the Mekong River could reduce prey species that are available to the dolphins – (and also to local people).

Potential dam or waterway construction – these activities could affect water flow levels, segregate the dolphin population, destroy fish stocks and degrade the habitat.

Despite these threats and constraints, the opportunity for successful conservation is significant - calves are still being born, local people do not directly or deliberately kill the dolphins due to religious beliefs, and both the Cambodian Government and local communities support conservation initiatives and recognize the benefits of safeguarding the dolphin population.

An essential step towards conservation of the remaining Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin population will be to develop ‘dolphins/fisheries protected areas’, in consultation and co-operation with local communities and NGO’s, with support and legislation from the Cambodian government and with donor funding for continued monitoring and enforcement activities.

What can I do to Help?

There are some basic things that everyone can do to help with the urgent conservation of the Irrawaddy dolphin population: 

Irawaddy Dolphins being held illegally at Koh Kong International Resort Casino's Safari World

AVOID using plastic bags whenever possible – they only end up in the river and may cause dolphins to die if they are eaten.

SUPPORT protests against dam and waterway construction in the Mekong River (and other river systems) – such activities not only negatively impact on dolphins but also the livelihood of local communities. Most projects are unnecessary and cause major damage to the ecosystem.

DO NOT SUPPORT oceanariums or fun parks that hold dolphins. Most dolphins in these facilities are live-captured from the wild and placed in often small and inadequate enclosures. Some people have wanted to capture dolphins from the Mekong River, however, this would be a significant threat to the survival of the entire population.

Recommendations for Conservation

High Priority

Cast-net fisheries result in zero dolphin mortality

1. In accordance with the revised Fisheries Law to conserve fish, 12cm and larger gillnets should be prohibited from the Kratie/Lao section of Mekong River and prevention of illegal fishing (i.e. dynmanite and electric fishing) should be a priority.

2. ‘Dolphin/Fisheries Conservation Areas’ need to be established as a matter of urgency.  These areas should be established with extensive community consultation anbd managed by communities, with support from the Cambodian Government.  

3. The most essential requirement within these areas for dolphin conservation must be a ban on un-attended gillnets. 

4. Monitoring and enforcement activities (through the Cambodian Department of Fisheries, Cambodian Royal Police and local community) need to be conducted in these Conservation Areas, in conjunction with their development to assist local communities to manage these areas.  Monitoring and enforcement could also be directed towards providing local villages adjacent to protected areas significant benefits.  These would be in the form of area tenure and control and prohibition of destructive fishing practices (eg. dynamite and electric fishing).

5. Any dolphins caught in fishing gear should be released immediately.  Any nets destroyed during this process should be compensated for, through the MDCP – providing that adequate proof is shown of capture and release.

6. Fishers should be required to report all dolphin carcasses found to the Department of Fisheries or MDCP.  If reported, no penalty will be incurred.  Penalties could be incurred if a dolphin is found and not reported.

7. Dolphin-watching tourism needs to be managed immediately, to ensure limited harassment of the dolphins and also to ensure the local community benefits from such activities.

8. No live-capture of dolphins in the Mekong River for any purpose should be allowed.

9. Prohibitions need to be established to prevent harassment of, shooting, capture and trade in dolphins or their parts.

Medium Priority

1. A gear modification/buy-back scheme should be investigated to reduce the effects of a gill-net ban in the protected areas, through discussions with the local community.

2. Other potential restrictions in the Conservation Areas in order to conserve fish stocks, should be designed and implemented by communities immediately adjacent to the area.

3. A working group should be established to co-ordinate dolphin research and conservation activities (including tourism) in the region.