Spike in Mekong River Fishing Could Harm Dolphins
There has been an ioncrease in fishing activity in the dolphin conservation zones along the Mekong River in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces, putting pressure on the critically endangered Mekong dolphin population, the chairman of the Commission for Mekong River Dolphin Conservation and Eco-tourism Development said yesterday. Touch Seang Tana said fishing in Kratie province has increased by about 20 percent this year, and illegal fishing activities-which involve the use of gill nets that can trap and kill dolphins-have also increased. … This is due to the jump in fish prices, which now range from $5 to $10 per kg, compared to last year’s prices of $1 to $2 per kg. … Khan Chomnan, Kratie province’s deputy governor, disagreed with Mr. Seang Tana, saying that the number of cases of illegal fishing have dropped from 185 cases during the first eight months of last year compared to 85 cases this year during the same period.
