The Mekong Dolphin is an icon of the region, symbolising the vitality and spirit of the Mekong River, but unfortunately it is now only found in a few areas of the river and is considered an endangered species. Therefore it is good news that the Cambodian government is taking some firm action on protecting these important cetaceans by introducing a river guard system, training local people to become guardians of the dolphins living in their stretch of the river.

This system which has the backing of the many Cambodian government ministries and the provincial governors is a world first and should be applauded in its foresight. The dolphins are most at risk from entanglement in fishing gear and since the new policing measures have been introduced, and fishing sites have been restricted, the dolphin population in on the upswing.

Table of Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. Cambodian river guards monitor six dolphin-conservation zones
  3. Rice returns as delta farmers reconsider stampede into shrimp
  4. New Cambodian fisheries law highlights management and conservation
  5. The current status of flagship species
  6. Lao, Vietnamese breakthroughs in domesticating Krempf’s catfish
    • Artificial reproduction succeeds in Lao trial ...
    • ... as Vietnamese induce spawning of females raised in captivity
  7. Fish-processing industry in Mekong Delta more than doubles output in four years
  8. Same same but different: Henicorhynchus lobatus and Henicorhynchus siamensis
  9. Documenting deep pools around the Great Lake in Cambodia
  10. Mekong Fisheries Index

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About Catch and Culture

Catch and Culture is published three times a year by the Mekong River Commission Secretariat in Vientiane, Lao PDR, and distributed to over 650 subscribers around the world. Free email subscriptions are available through the MRC website, www.mrcmekong.org.

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© Mekong River Commission 2006

Editorial Panel

Editor: Peter Starr

  • MDr Chris Barlow, Fisheries Programme Manager
  • Dr Suchart Ingthamjitr, Fisheries Programme Officer
  • Mr Kaviphone Phouthavongs, Fisheries Programme Officer
  • Virginia Addison, MRC Communications Officer

Design and cover illustration: Phannavanh Anoulack

Disclaimer

The opinions and interpretation expressed within are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Mekong River Commission