Asian Cetaceans

Irrawaddy Dolphin Welfare and Fishing Net Bycatch

Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River, Irrawaddy River, and Mahakam Lake are critically endangered, with individual populations of only a few dozen animals. Entanglement in fishing nets is the primary cause of mortality.

Key Facts

The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin population has fewer than 80 individuals
Irrawaddy dolphins in the Malampaya Sound, Philippines number fewer than 10 individuals
Gillnet entanglement is the leading cause of recorded mortality
Electric fishing (illegal in most range states) kills dolphins instantly and is difficult to enforce against
WWF and Wildlife Alliance work with fishing communities on net modification programs

Welfare Considerations

Irrawaddy dolphins entangled in gillnets drown, typically within minutes to hours depending on net depth and entanglement severity. The drowning of social, long-lived mammals with complex family bonds represents both individual suffering and disruption to small, intimate social groups. At population sizes below 80, each individual death is demographic significant and represents a welfare event that directly threatens population survival.

What You Can Do

Support WWF and Wildlife Alliance Mekong dolphin protection programs
Donate to dolphin bycatch reduction research and net modification programs
Advocate for gillnet restrictions in critical dolphin habitat
Engage with Mekong River Commission discussions on fisheries management
Raise awareness of Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins as one of the world most endangered cetaceans