Cambodian Prime Minister Orders The Formation Of Conservation Zones In The Mekong River To Protect Langka Dolphins

Irrawaddy dolphins. (Wikimedia Commons/Stefan Brinding)

JAKARTA - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the establishment of a conservation zone in the Mekong River to protect endangered dolphins on Monday, after three dolphins were killed by nets and fishing ropes last month.

The Irrawaddy dolphins, known for their prominent foreheads and short beaks, have swam past most of Mekong, but in recent decades have been limited to 190 km from northeastern Kratie Province to the border with Laos.

Their population has continued to decline since the first census was carried out in 1997, down from the 200 years to about 90 today due to habitat loss and destructive fishing practices.

Speaking at a ceremony in Kratie, PM Hun Sen ordered authorities to install floating markers around designated protection zones, where there would be an "absolute ban" on all fishing.

"The Mekong River, which is home to dolphins and fish species that are almost extinct, must be managed properly so that the dolphins do not die because they are entangled in an insang net," he said, launching CNA on January 2.

The insang net is a net that is hung in the river to catch fish.

"The dolphin area must be fully protected," said PM Hun Sen, adding that the animal's presence contributed to local tourism.

Three healthy, breeding-age dolphins died within one week of each other last month. The death worries conservationists, who call for day and night patrols to protect the remaining dolphins, from being killed by illegal fishing.

Eleven dead dolphins by 2022, bringing the total number of dolphins that have died to 29 in the last three years, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

In a statement, WWF called on all relevant authorities "to enforce and launch appropriate measures, to immediately address deaths" caused by the threat of insang nets and electric fishing that occur in dolphins conservation areas.

Cambodia is home to the largest population of Irrawaddy dolphins, which are also found in rivers and lakes in Myanmar, Indonesia, India, and Thailand.