Report of the Second Workshop on The Biology and Conservation of ...

Malaysia. The projects are entitled “An integratedstudy <strong>of</strong> marine mammals and whale sharks in <strong>the</strong>Malaysian EEZ waters” and “Dugong, seagrassand fisheries integrated project in East Malaysia.”Both projects will continue at least until <strong>the</strong> end<strong>of</strong> 2003.In addition, various government agencies, NGOsand <strong>the</strong> private sector contributing to research onand conservation <strong>of</strong> marine mammals. Most aremembers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Malaysian Marine Mammals andWhale Shark Working Group. Among membersare UMS, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UniversitiMalaysia Sarawak, Department <strong>of</strong> Wildlife Sabah,Department <strong>of</strong> Fisheries Sabah, Sabah Parks,Sarawak Forest Department, Department <strong>of</strong>Fisheries Malaysia, WWF Malaysia and BorneoDivers. Research will start soon in <strong>the</strong> Santubongand Bako (Kuching River System), Beladin andPusa (Batang Saribas) and Tanjung Manis (BatangRajang) regions in Sarawak and Cowei Bay inTawau, Sabah to assess <strong>the</strong> resident populations<strong>of</strong> Irrawaddy dolphins.Recently, <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Fisheries Malaysia incollaboration with <strong>the</strong> Working Group, has agreedin principle to develop a National StrandingNetwork on Marine Mammals and Whale Sharkswith <strong>the</strong> objective <strong>of</strong> monitoring and respondingto strandings and by-catch as well as increasingpublic awareness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> endangered animals in<strong>the</strong> country.Need for additional researchThe long-term objectives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Marine Mammalsand Whale Shark Research and ConservationProgramme <strong>of</strong> UMS are to gain comprehensiveknowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> species composition, distributionand abundance <strong>of</strong> marine mammals and whaleshark in Malaysia, to identify areas that areimportant habitats for biodiversity, and to highlightthreats affecting populations <strong>of</strong> endangeredanimals.In-depth study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Irrawaddy dolphins in <strong>the</strong>bay and estuarine areas <strong>of</strong> Sabah and Sarawakshould be a high priority.Efforts to estimate <strong>the</strong> magnitude <strong>of</strong> by-catch<strong>of</strong> dugongs and inshore cetaceans in artisanalfisheries need to be extended to cover <strong>the</strong> wholecountry, and more serious efforts should bemade to educate <strong>the</strong> public, particularly <strong>the</strong>coastal residents <strong>of</strong> Sabah and Sarawak. This isparticularly important because only about half<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fishermen interviewed in <strong>the</strong>se areas wereaware that marine mammals are protected bylaw and should not be harmed (Jaaman and Anyi2002b).Present and potential whale and dolphinwatching operationsAt present, <strong>the</strong>re is one marine mammal watchingenterprise in Malaysia, operating out <strong>of</strong> Kuching,Sarawak. In addition, dive operators usuallytake <strong>the</strong>ir guests to watch <strong>the</strong> animals whenever<strong>the</strong>y encounter <strong>the</strong>m during diving trips. In <strong>the</strong>Santubong and Bako (Kuching River System),Beladin and Pusa (Batang Saribas) and TanjungManis (Batang Rajang) regions in Sarawak andCowei Bay in Tawau, Sabah, where Irrawaddydolphins are known to occur, <strong>the</strong>re is potential forestablishment <strong>of</strong> “reserve areas” where regulateddolphin watching activities would be feasible. Anysuch developments should be for <strong>the</strong> purpose<strong>of</strong> improving understanding and awareness <strong>of</strong>endangered species and <strong>the</strong>ir environment.2.1.9 PhilippinesSpecies and distributionTo date 17 species <strong>of</strong> small cetaceans and <strong>the</strong>dugong have been confirmed to occur in <strong>the</strong>Philippines (Appendix 2). In 1995, 16 species <strong>of</strong>small cetaceans were reported for <strong>the</strong> Philippinesduring <strong>the</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong> on <strong>the</strong> Biology andConservation <strong>of</strong> Small Cetaceans and Dugongs<strong>Second</strong> <strong>Workshop</strong> on <strong>the</strong> Biology and Conservation <strong>of</strong> Small Cetaceans and Dugongs <strong>of</strong> SE Asia 51