PHNOM PENH, Feb. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has finalized a sub- decree on the protection and conservation of endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in the country's eastern provinces, said a government official on Wednesday.
Through the sub-decree, the areas of 180 kilometers along Mekong River from the border of Laos to Cambodia's Stung Treng and Kratie provinces will be protected as dolphin habitats, Touch Seang Tana, chairman of Cambodia's Commission for Conversation and Development of the Mekong River Dolphins Eco- tourism Zone, said in a press briefing.
The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin has been listed as critically endangered on the World Conservation Union Red List of Threatened Species since 2004, he said.
"The sub-decree reflects the government's efforts in protecting and conserving this endangered mammal species for the next generations," he said. "The conservation will be a boost for the development of eco-tourism in the areas."
The sub-decree is expected to be passed by the Cabinet in the next couple of weeks.
Under the sub-decree, villagers will be allowed to use only cast nets to fish in the areas, while other fishing devices such as gill nets and fish cages are banned from the areas, he said, adding that floating houses are also banned from the areas.
Last year, three dolphins had been killed by gill nets.
"We believe that the measures will save dolphins from deaths by trapping in gill nets or fish cages," he said.
Touch Seang Tana said that it is estimated that currently the total population of Mekong river dolphins in the areas is around 180 heads, but the World Wildlife Fund put the number at 85 only.
Through the sub-decree, the areas of 180 kilometers along Mekong River from the border of Laos to Cambodia's Stung Treng and Kratie provinces will be protected as dolphin habitats, Touch Seang Tana, chairman of Cambodia's Commission for Conversation and Development of the Mekong River Dolphins Eco- tourism Zone, said in a press briefing.
The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin has been listed as critically endangered on the World Conservation Union Red List of Threatened Species since 2004, he said.
"The sub-decree reflects the government's efforts in protecting and conserving this endangered mammal species for the next generations," he said. "The conservation will be a boost for the development of eco-tourism in the areas."
The sub-decree is expected to be passed by the Cabinet in the next couple of weeks.
Under the sub-decree, villagers will be allowed to use only cast nets to fish in the areas, while other fishing devices such as gill nets and fish cages are banned from the areas, he said, adding that floating houses are also banned from the areas.
Last year, three dolphins had been killed by gill nets.
"We believe that the measures will save dolphins from deaths by trapping in gill nets or fish cages," he said.
Touch Seang Tana said that it is estimated that currently the total population of Mekong river dolphins in the areas is around 180 heads, but the World Wildlife Fund put the number at 85 only.
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