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

aquaculture and manufacturing. There is growingconcern about <strong>the</strong> production <strong>of</strong> large amounts<strong>of</strong> waste. The development <strong>of</strong> shrimp farms insome areas is difficult to control and leads toimpacts on coastal habitats. It may cause seriousproblems for Irrawaddy dolphins, especially inSongkhla Lake due to <strong>the</strong> very shallow water and<strong>the</strong> flushing by <strong>the</strong> sea.Illegal fishing with trawls and pushnets within3,000 meters <strong>of</strong> shore is a major problem (seebelow). It destroys <strong>the</strong> feeding and breedinggrounds <strong>of</strong> many coastal species. However, <strong>the</strong>impacts on <strong>the</strong> environment <strong>of</strong> cetaceans has notyet been studied.Directed catchesDirected catches <strong>of</strong> cetaceans and dugong areprohibited under regulations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Department<strong>of</strong> Fisheries (Protection and Conservation <strong>of</strong>Wild Animals Law, 1992). However, captures<strong>of</strong> humpback and Irrawaddy dolphins for Thaiaquaria began in <strong>the</strong> mid-1980s and apparentlyhave continued in recent years. The effects <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>se on <strong>the</strong> potentially small populations areunknown. It has been recommended by PMBCthat <strong>the</strong> government monitor <strong>the</strong> captures andholding conditions; <strong>the</strong> participants endorsed thisrecommendation.By-catchesCoastal cetaceans and dugongs are vulnerable toby-catch in artisanal fishing gear. The population<strong>of</strong> Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake has beenseriously depleted as a result <strong>of</strong> by-catch in gillnetsand set nets. Finless porpoises occasionallyare found entangled in coastal gillnets. Littleinformation on incidental catches <strong>of</strong> cetaceansand dugong is obtained, due to lack <strong>of</strong> cooperationby fishermen.Legal status and present managementarrangementThe first act to protect <strong>the</strong> dugong and o<strong>the</strong>rendangered species was <strong>the</strong> Fisheries Act <strong>of</strong>1974. This act also prohibits trawlers and push-netboats from operating within 3,000 meters <strong>of</strong> shore,in order to secure <strong>the</strong> breeding grounds <strong>of</strong> marinelife. However, enforcement <strong>of</strong> this provision hasproven difficult. Violators can be punished onlywhen <strong>the</strong>y are directly observed to be engagedin illegal operations. Thailand adhered to <strong>the</strong>Convention on International Trade in EndangeredSpecies (CITES) in 1983. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> species<strong>of</strong> cetaceans occurring in Thailand are in CITESAppendix I. The Protection and Conservation <strong>of</strong>Wild Animals Law <strong>of</strong> 1992 consists <strong>of</strong> 1) Act No.16 —prohibition <strong>of</strong> hunting or catching protectedanimals, 2) Act No. 19—prohibition <strong>of</strong> possessingprotected animals or <strong>the</strong>ir carcasses, and 3) ActNo. 20—prohibition <strong>of</strong> trade in protected animalsFolk attitudes and interaction with marinemammalsThais traditionally do not eat cetaceans. MostThai fishermen consider dolphins to be friends. Afolk story claims that a dolphin saved a fishermanfrom drowning. Some villagers use <strong>the</strong> presence<strong>of</strong> dolphins to predict <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r, i.e. when <strong>the</strong>ysee dolphins swimming to a river mouth, <strong>the</strong>yexpect a storm to come soon. The presence <strong>of</strong>dolphins is believed to be an indication <strong>of</strong> highabundance <strong>of</strong> fish in <strong>the</strong> area.Most Thai people believe that giant or wondrousanimals have special powers, and <strong>the</strong>y have greatrespect for such animals. When <strong>the</strong>y find a deadstranded animal <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong>ten attempt to collect<strong>the</strong> bones, especially teeth and <strong>the</strong> lower jaw,for making potions. This creates a problem forscientific specimen collection; <strong>the</strong> important parts<strong>of</strong> many specimens are removed by local peoplebefore researchers arrive on <strong>the</strong> scene.<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 63