Empowering Coastal Small-Scale Fishers to Reduce Incidental Catch of Irrawaddy Dolphins in Rajang-Belawai-Paloh Delta

Grant Type:

Conservation Grant

Year:

2022

State(s):

Sarawak

Project Leader:

Samantha Ambie, Gavin Jolis

This project supports dolphin conservation along the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh coasts in Sarawak by combining ecological research with community engagement. Surveys provide data on Irrawaddy dolphin distribution and population estimates, while awareness activities and citizen science involve local fishers in data collection. Through collaborative efforts, the project addresses incidental dolphin capture in fishing gear and promotes locally informed strategies to reduce threats to marine mammals in coastal waters.

Samantha Ambie

WWF Malaysia

Samantha Ambie is a marine conservation officer with WWF Malaysia. Her passion for marine mammals began during her undergraduate final year project, leading her to pursue a master’s in Aquatic Science at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Samantha is deeply committed to marine conservation and is a key researcher working to mitigate the incidental catch of marine mammals in the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh Delta of Sarawak.