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

caused mortality is certainly large enough to meritgrave concern about survival <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mekong Riverpopulation. A specimen was caught in a fishingnet in <strong>the</strong> Tien River in Vietnam in 2002 (Doc.4). There are by-catches in bottom-set gillnets,and possibly fish corrals, lift nets, and crabtrapgear in Malampaya Sound, Philippines (Doc.19). By-catches <strong>of</strong> Irrawaddy dolphins have beendocumented in Malaysian gillnets, fish traps, andtrawls (Doc. 10).Needs for additional researchLive-captures from <strong>the</strong> Gulf <strong>of</strong> Thailand and fromo<strong>the</strong>r small and isolated populations to stockcasinos and oceanaria should be monitored asa matter <strong>of</strong> priority. Also, boat-based surveysshould be conducted to estimate abundance <strong>of</strong>Irrawaddy dolphins in nor<strong>the</strong>rn Australian watersand o<strong>the</strong>r regions (e.g., Borneo and Cambodia)where relatively robust marine populations likelyexist.2.2.14 Peponocephala electraDistributionThere are new records <strong>of</strong> melon-headed whalesaround <strong>the</strong> Babuyan Islands, Philippines (Doc.33). They have also been confirmed to occur inMalaysia (Doc. 10). There have been many recentrecords <strong>of</strong> this species in Taiwan waters (Wang etal. 2001b).Population/stock structureNo new information.Population statusNo new information.Habitat statusNo new information.Directed catchesDirect catches were known to occur in <strong>the</strong>Philippines previously (Dolar 1994), and someillegal hunting may still occur, e.g. in <strong>the</strong> BabuyanIslands (Doc. 28). Harpooned specimens havebeen discovered in Taiwanese fish markets (Doc.6).By-catchesThis species may be caught in large-mesh driftgillnets in Taiwan (Doc. 6).Needs for additional researchNone identified.2.2.15 Feresa attenuataDistributionThe pygmy killer whale has been confirmed tooccur in Malaysia (Doc. 10).Population/stock structureNo new information.Population statusNo new information.Habitat statusNo new information.Directed catchesHarpooned specimens have been discovered atTaiwanese fish markets (Doc. 6).By-catchesThere are possible records <strong>of</strong> by-catch in largemeshdriftnets in Taiwan (Doc. 6).Needs for additional researchNone identified.2.2.16 Pseudorca crassidensDistributionSince <strong>the</strong> 1995 meeting, false killer whales havebeen added to <strong>the</strong> lists <strong>of</strong> species known to occurin <strong>the</strong> Philippines (Doc. 25) and Cambodia (Doc.34). Wang pointed out that false killer whalesoccur in some coastal waters (e.g., <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Penghu78 CMS Technical Series Publication Nº 9 - 2005