Key Areas
The Cambodian Mekong Dolphin Conservation Project works in 4 key areas:
- Threat reduction
- Developing regulations in conjunction with the Government to protect the dolphins and their habitat
- Proper management and setting of regulations in the dolphin-watching ecotourism industry
- Working with communities and NGOs to ensure effective and sustainable management of local fisheries, and the implementation of dolphin conservation into their activities
- Providing alternative sources of livelihood for fishing communities in partnership with the Cambodian Rural Development Team
- Education and awareness
- Ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of regulations set regarding dolphin conservation
- Displaying educational signboards and materials for Cambodian residents and tourists
- Holding discussions with the local communities about social factors influencing potential conservation strategies
- Carrying out educational village workshops and school visits for communities adjacent to core dolphin habitats
- Research
- Conducting boat surveys and intensive photo-identification studies
- Focusing on dolphin mortality rate (especially the high calf mortality rate), dolphin population, ecology and the impacts of dolphin-watching ecotourism on dolphins
- Researching on the impact of climate change on the Mekong River
- Assessing population viability
- Cooperation and regional coordination
- Teaching local communities about dolphins and environmental conservation issues
- Building cross border co-operation between stakeholders at the trans-boundary dolphin pool and developing a trans-boundary conservation strategy
- Establishing a community trans-boundary pool conservation group
- Developing community fishery management zones to help sustainably manage fish and conserve dolphins
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