Acoustic Pinger Trials with Artisanal Fishers in Penang to Mitigate Bycatch of Small Cetaceans

Grant Type:

Conservation Grant

Year:

2026

State(s):

Penang

Project Leader:

Dr. Kuit Sui Hyang (Vivian)

This project addresses cetacean bycatch and depredation in Penang’s artisanal driftnet fisheries by testing acoustic pingers with local fishers. It aims to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing bycatch, gear damage, and behavioural impacts, while informing national mitigation strategies and community-based conservation efforts.

The project will collaborate with fishers in Penang to assess the efficiency of acoustic pingers in reducing bycatch of dolphins and porpoises, to reduce human-wildlife conflict, economic loss, and death of these threatened marine mammals.

Dr. Kuit Sui Hyang (Vivian)

MareCet Research Organization

Kuit Sui Hyang or Dr. Vivian Kuit obtained her Ph.D. from Universiti Malaya in 2021, having studied the ecology of coastal cetaceans in Matang, Perak. She is working with MareCet as the organisation’s Scientific Ofiicer to assist with MareCet’s scientific research activities in terms of robust study design and oversee data analyses, and provide scientific inputs on behalf of MareCet during relevant discussions and platforms at the national level.

MareCet is a researcher-led Malaysian NGO established in 2012, dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals through science, outreach, policy, and capacity building. With over a decade of experience in cetacean research, the organisation began pioneering bycatch mitigation efforts in 2022 through Malaysia’s first acoustic pinger trials with small-scale fishers in Perak. This work generated important insights into fisher practices and cetacean responses to deterrent technologies. Building on established partnerships and field experience, MareCet continues to advance data-driven solutions to reduce bycatch and protect vulnerable coastal cetacean populations in Malaysia.