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

Mekong River downstream <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cambodianborder, covering both Tien and Hau distributaries(Smith et al. 1997).Habitat statusDynamite and cyanide fishing occur frequentlyand appear to be increasing. Smith and Braulikreported that pushnet fishermen were observedusing dynamite on many occasions inside HalongBay (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) during surveysin October 1999 and April 2000. Both dynamiteand cyanide fishing are illegal in Vietnam butenforcement is virtually non-existent. Overfishingfrom trawlers, gillnetters, and longliners appearsto be a serious problem and may be affecting <strong>the</strong>availability <strong>of</strong> prey for cetaceans.There has been a serious decline in <strong>the</strong> extentand quality <strong>of</strong> sea grass beds in many places. Thereasons for <strong>the</strong> decline have not been studied butare probably related to destructive fishing practicesand increasing sedimentation.Directed catchesDirected catches <strong>of</strong> cetaceans are rare in Vietnamdue to <strong>the</strong> animals’ venerated status amongfishermen. However, Smith et al. (1995, 1997)reported that dolphin meat is occasionally sold in<strong>the</strong> fish market on Cat Ba Island, and a newspaperarticle entitled ‘killing <strong>of</strong> a dolphin in HalongTourist Area’ stated that a dolphin weighing 300kgwas shot and brought to <strong>the</strong> beach by a hunterwho stated that <strong>the</strong> animal could be sold for <strong>the</strong>equivalent <strong>of</strong> approximately US$20. Dugongs arehunted, at least from Phu Quoc Island near <strong>the</strong>Cambodian border.By-catchesNo information is available on cetacean by-catchlevels. During an at-sea survey in April 2000 apartial carcass <strong>of</strong> a finless porpoise was foundfloating next to a gill net. The cut was extremelyclean, suggesting that <strong>the</strong> animal may havebeen cut after its tail had become entangledin a gillnet. Interviews with fishermen indicatedthat gillnets kill cetaceans more <strong>of</strong>ten than o<strong>the</strong>rfishing techniques but that by-catch rates werelow, perhaps due to <strong>the</strong> low density <strong>of</strong> cetaceans inVietnamese waters.Braulik reported that animals by-caught in northcentralVietnam were <strong>of</strong>ten sold in <strong>the</strong> market. Hinesadded that dolphins have been reported caught innets and that flukes were cut <strong>of</strong>f to prevent <strong>the</strong> netsfrom being destroyed.Legal status and present managementarrangementsCetaceans are currently protected by a decree <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> national assembly but this is not generallyenforced. During <strong>the</strong> last three years <strong>the</strong>Vietnamese government has been drafting a newlaw that will give authorities greater power toenforce fishery regulations. This law is expected tobe approved by <strong>the</strong> national assembly in <strong>the</strong> nearfuture. Under this law dugongs are considered<strong>the</strong> same as cetaceans. The government alsoapproved a national biodiversity action plan in1995 that includes improved provisions for <strong>the</strong>establishment <strong>of</strong> marine protected areas. The ConDao National Park was established in 1985. Itincludes <strong>the</strong> Con Dao Islands and <strong>the</strong> surrounding14,000 ha <strong>of</strong> ocean. The park provides protectionfor a range <strong>of</strong> endangered species, including <strong>the</strong>dugong.Folk attitudes and interactions with marinemammalsVietnamese fishermen venerate cetaceans because<strong>the</strong>y believe <strong>the</strong> animals will aid <strong>the</strong>m when <strong>the</strong>yare in distress at sea and help <strong>the</strong>m catch morefish. Along <strong>the</strong> coast <strong>of</strong> south and central Vietnamfishermen build whale temples where <strong>the</strong>y depositwhale and dolphin bones for worship. In <strong>the</strong>Mekong Delta, <strong>the</strong> villagers <strong>of</strong> Thoi Thuan holda ‘whale festival.’ During <strong>the</strong> festival, <strong>the</strong> entire66 CMS Technical Series Publication Nº 9 - 2005