Cambodian Mekong Dolphin Conservation Project. Phay Somany Fisheries Administration Of Cambodia

Transcription

1 Cambodian Mekong Dolphin Conservation Project Phay Somany Fisheries Administration Of Cambodia

2 Introduction The Cambodian Fisheries Administration (FiA) began research on Mekong River dolphins in January 2001, in collaboration with James Cook University and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Result = development of the Cambodian Mekong Dolphin Conservation Strategy in 2005 CMDCP was formed in July 2005 as a collaborative project between WWF, WCS, CRDT and the FiA CMDCP aim: implement the Government s 2005 Mekong dolphin conservation strategy Cambodian Fishery law provides full protection status to the Mekong dolphin

3 Due to the continuing high Mekong dolphin mortality rate the Cambodian Government established the Commission of Dolphin Conservation and Ecotourism Development (DC) in 2006 Following a series of meetings between the DC, FiA and CMDCP it was decided that: DC would focus on enforcement and ecotourism development issues, while CMDCP would focus on awareness, research, alternative livelihoods and provide technical input on conservation issues.

4 Mekong dolphin distribution and core deep pool habitats

5 Threats Average annual minimum mortality = 16 dolphins over last 5 years Estimated Mekong population abundance in 2007 = 71 Direct threats: gillnet bycatch targeted human killing Indirect threats: pollution overfishing illegal fishing boat traffic poorly planned tourism disease Potential threats: Development projects

6 Research CMDCP core activities to date mortalities - necropsies and diagnostic work on tissue samples population & distribution - using photo-identification technique monitoring threats - patrols, water quality monitoring, dolphin behaviour monitoring in presence of human activities Conservation identification and demarcation of core dolphin habitat joint stakeholder patrols guidelines for dolphin ecotourism new legislation & regulations campaigning

7 Awareness provincial: schools, villages, monks, government and fishermen international: tourists and public national: government and the general public Livelihoods and community development ecotourism aquaculture and new agricultural products improved agricultural techniques clean water and sanitation Fff

8 Key issues high calf mortality - 85% of all mortalities in last 2 years trans-boundary complexity mysterious low birth rate in 2008 The bans gillnets throughout dolphin range community participation lack of consultation and involvement of communities in government management and inequitable ecotourism benefit sharing

9 NECROPSY EXAMINATION INVESTIGATION OF THE DEATH CAUSES

10 NECROPSY EXAMINATION

11 Success stories Decline in adult mortality Strong research programme established Kampi dolphin ecotourism is relatively well managed and generating increasing funds for government and certain community members Successful implementation of alternative livelihood and sanitation projects at villages located in core dolphin areas High awareness of Mekong dolphin mortality issue locally and nationally - attracted media and government attention

12 Lessons learned Need to work with other relevant government agencies to ensure ALL stakeholders participate in decision making and management, particularly at community level Require socio-economic understanding of communities impacting dolphins to ensure appropriate and measurable conservation activities Importance of the need of clear regulations that are properly disseminated for the protection of dolphins and their habitat Importance of providing viable alternatives to gillnet fishing