The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) this week announced that Irrawaddy dolphin conservation is progressing successfully. The latest census reveals the population of Mekong river dolphins has risen to 105 individuals.

Im Rachna, spokeswoman for MAFF, delivered the good news during a meeting with officials from the Kratie Provincial Fisheries Administration and river guard officers on Monday.

The meeting discussed measures to strengthen protection and conservation of Irrawaddy dolphins. Among those attending were Pum Sotha, director-general of the Fisheries Administration, and Ouk Vibol, Director of the Department of Fisheries Conservation at the Fisheries Administration along with other relevant officials.

In the presence of 44 river guard officers working in Kratie province, Rachna expressed her deep appreciation, thanking them for their work hard. She said that the officers perform their duties tirelessly to prevent fisheries crime in the river conservation area, everyday 24/7.

“Cambodia’s greatest achievement in dolphin conservation is an increase from 92 to 105 dolphins in the last two years, which is a proud accomplishment for Cambodia, and the result of efforts by river conservation officials,” she said.

However, she noted fishing on the Mekong with large nets and electric shock fishing gear goes on, and continue to pose a danger to dolphins in Kratie province.

Rachna added that she will strive to inform the public about dolphin conservation work more widely, and especially point out the devoted work of river guards for Mekong dolphin conservation.

• Tags: Irrawaddy dolphin, MAFF