Monitoring and threat assessment of coastal cetacean populations in Sarawak, Malaysia

Principal Investigators:Minton, Peter, Ngeian, Zulkifli Poh

This study provides fine scale data on distribution and habitat preference, relative and absolute abundance estimates, opportunities for sample collection and ground-truthing of cetacean by-catch data through active engagement of fishing communities as partners in research. Monitoring cetacean populations and water parameters in the face of construction of major flood mitigation channels and coastal resorts (Kuching), industrial parks, deep-water ports and aluminium smelter plants (Similajau) is of crucial conservation importance. Specific objectives of the project are:

(1)     Refining and/or detecting trends in relative and absolute abundance for Irrawaddy dolphins, finless porpoise and humpback dolphins in our survey areas.

(2)     Refining our understanding of distribution and habitat preferences for each of the species above in relation to seasonal and tidal cycles and water parameters such as salinity, turbidity, and temperature, as well as depth, distance from shore and distance from river mouths.

(3)     monitoring cetacean distribution and, if possible, population trends, in relation to habitat parameters, including potential habitat degradation from major coastal developments in our survey areas.

(4)     Ground-truthing the results of fisheries interviews being conducted in 2011 by obtaining more detailed information on fisheries operations in our study areas, including length and precise tracks of fishing trips, gear used at different times of year and in specific fishing areas, species targeted, species caught, species discarded, and interactions with cetaceans.

(5)     Analysis of potential overlap between fishing effort and dolphin distribution, and between commercially targeted fish/crustacean species and cetacean prey.

(6)     training and capacity building for three local scientists involved in the project, as they gradually assume more planning, management and data analysis responsibility for the project.

(7)     raising awareness of cetacean conservation issues in coastal fishing communities throughout Sarawak, and working to establish and strengthen an effective grassroots stranding network and empower communities affected by coastal construction and habitat degradation.

(8)     collection of samples from by-caught or beach-cast cetacean specimens for use in genetic, morphometric, and stomach content analyses.